Black History
Telling the Stories of African-American Lives, Dreams, & Realities
February is Black History Month
Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in the United States, is an official celebration of the African diaspora, and is considered a time for everyone to recognize the significance the lives and cultures of African people and their descendents have had and continue to have upon the world. This annual celebration is also observed in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
But with the current rightwing rush to whitewash educational programs in American schools, it's not surprising that authors who study and highlight the cultural effects of the history of slavery and racism are becoming direct targets for censorship.
BUY THIS BOOK!
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning
From the School Library Journal:
“I am proud of the work that Jason Reynolds and I have done on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, and not at all surprised to hear it is one of the ALA Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020.
"Stamped delivers a research-based history of racist and antiracist thought directly to young people who have the potential to create an antiracist future of equity and justice for all. It is ironic that our book is being challenged since it documents how generations of Americans have challenged the idea that the racial groups are equals and have fought to suppress the very truths contained on every page of Stamped. The heartbeat of racism is denial, and the history in Stamped will not be denied, nor will young people’s access to this book be canceled.
"We must provide readers of all ages, races, backgrounds, and political affiliations with the tools to discuss racism today and to know America's racial story. We must end the indoctrination that this nation is post-racial and colorblind that adults impart onto young people when we don't discuss racism with them and challenge books that do. The fact that Stamped is being challenged proves just how necessary and effective it is for young people. I’m grateful to the librarians, educators, organizations, booksellers, parents, and—most of all—young people who have championed this book over the past year. We stand by you in this fight.” -- Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
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Compiled Black Owned Bookseller Lists
Order from these independent bookstores (The Literary Hub)
Black-Owned Bookstores You Can Shop Online (Conde Nast Traveler)
125 Black Owned Bookstores (Oprah Daily)
Black Owned Online Bookstores That You Should Know (Shoppe Black)
80+ Black-Owned Bookstores You Can Support Right Now (Good Housekeeping)
22 Black-Owned Bookstores You Can Order From Online (Elite Daily)
For an extensive, dedicated, detailed list of Black Owned Bookstores and Booksellers, visit aalbc.com, "Dedicated to Selling Books by or About People of African Descent."
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Two major resources for addressing censorship are The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and The National Coalition Against Censorship.