Black History Month on Vocal

Black History Month: It Still Matters.

America has practiced erasure... to the point of devastation. For this reason, and this reason alone, Black History Month is still important. A focused period of time when the history of black people and how we have contributed to a country that used our bodies, families, and souls to commit its original sin is needed to show people that blackness matters, that it is good, that it is capable, beautiful, intelligent, and worthy. That our history is American history, and it is important.

Does this mean that discussions, lessons, ideas, art exhibitions, and projects about black history should only be delegated to February? Absolutely not. Will there be a day when Black History Month is no longer necessary? I hope so. Because that day will mean that our history is acknowledged and taught as widely and richly as America’s white history. It won’t only be a specialization or emphasis for college students, but will truly be what it has always been: an integral part of the interwoven fabric that is America. - KATHRYN H. ROSS, (author of Black Was Not a Label)

Quote pulled from It Matters | Black History Month and ‘Erasure’ Blackness can't be ignored or explained away BY KATHRYN H. ROSS Published on Friday, February 7

At the end of January, The Chronicle began putting together a special committee dedicated to celebrating the diversity and strength of Black Voices on Vocal.

Clyde E. Dawkins, a founding VSS member and frequent contributor to the Vocal conversation each day, humbly agreed to take on the lead role and organize a group chat. From there we swapped ideas, encouraged, sought new members and brainstormed. We dreamt big. We thought about hashtags, playlists, links, stories and cover art and how we could be instrumental in change.

As editors, we have come to understand how the most supportive thing the Chronicle has to offer is its ability to be the microphone, to collect the voices shouting for good and send them out into the world. And while normally we do the curation, for special topics, like BHM, the power rightfully belongs in the hands of the communities being represented.

There is no narrative here, no force fitting into anyone's definitions of what BHM means; this is a unique collaboration of differing voices that threw their hearts and souls into the topic of being Black in 2022.

Included below are fictions, poems, and opinions. They may make you take a pause or a second glance at times—as they should—because one of the best ways to change the world is to simply flip the coin and hear the other side.

To say we are proud to hand over the wheel is an enormous understatement.

The usual first words of the Chronicle, therefore, passes to a member of this newly formed collaborative, the inimitable Ali SP, with her poem in memory of George Floyd...

Last Words ~ Ali SP

How many more graves will we dig

Before justice prevails for every black life

It is only when hate no longer fills the air

That we all can go out and freely breathe

~Be sure to hit that 'back button' or follow the 'return to magazine link' (available in some inclusions) to return to the main magazine and explore all of its content.~

This editions suggested soundtrack, a playlist curated by the committee.

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History in the Making ~ Tyrone Livingston

I believe that there are black people making history in this world every day and aren't being praised enough. Yeah, you hear about them because most of them are famous, but we never talk about them in terms of history.

Black Joy ~ Teisha Leshea

We can collectively agree that 2020 was a challenging year. People were losing jobs, losing family members to COVID, and children not able to play outside. Racism was a topic over the summer; Breonna Taylor and George Floyd's deaths sparked protests and boycotts. Last year reminded me why I write—it's because I want to remind people that my history doesn't start with slavery and that African Americans aren't monolithic. To continually tell my story about my black experience. I am happy to see that Vocal is allowing us to tell our stories about the black experience.

A Question A Day ~ Alisha Starr

I’m choosing to ask questions instead of making assumptions and creating situations that make people feel bad about themselves. I’m choosing to give people the opportunity to get excited about sharing things that make them unique. I’m choosing to accept that we’re all vastly different and that’s part of what makes life exciting. I’m choosing to act like a kid again and be curious about people without the slightest hint of judgment.

Mr. Officer ~ Tyrone Livingstone

I'm a black man that grew up in an inner city. I'm also of a certain age. So, I've lived through a gauntlet of feelings towards you. I remember when you were everyone's hero. When everybody looked up to you. When every kid wanted to be you when they grew up. When you were a pillar of our communities. When you were loved and admired. When you were considered a hero by most.

Stating the Obvious: The NFL Has a Diversity Problem ~ Clyde E Dawkins

The bottom line is this: it's 2022 and there's only one Black head coach in an NFL that is 70% Black, and a grand total of three coaches of color out of 32. Yet the league continues to portray themselves as promoters of diversity and inclusion with the messages on the field. It's the absolute definition of "one step forward, two steps back".

The Road to Necks... ~ Tiffany Gordon

The documentary revealed that Phyllis Wheatley was taken from West Africa and sold into slavery between the ages of 7 and 8 and was subsequently sold to a family in Boston, Massachusetts who taught her to read and write. Eventually her brilliance led her to become the first African-American, enslaved person, and third woman to publish a book of poetry in North America. She accomplished this feat at aged 20 while still enslaved.

No Excuses ~ Tyrone Livingstone

He wanted to be that role model. He wanted to show the world that a black man from the hood can be successful without a ball, without hip-hop, with hard work and dedication.

From the Popular "Villainess True Crime" Series - Ann Pettway & Gloria Williams: A Tale of Two Sinister Child Abductors ~ Clyde E. Dawkins

Kudos to Lifetime for featuring these real life stories on their network, especially since it's been known for so long that stories involving missing children of color don't really get a lot of attention and/or diligence from police, who usually refer to missing children of color as "runaways."

The Colours of Me ~ Rii Pierce

Delicate and fragile

Powerful and beautiful

I am not your cinna-mocha-caramel-cino.

I am all the colors of history, and all the colors are me.

Black Girl Magic ~ Ali SP

As she steps into the world, opens up her mouth and lets her voice resound

This I say.... is black girl magic!

*Note that the exquisite cover art was created by this author.

Beauty In My Hair ~ Nathalie Clair

Not always easy to tend to but a blessing to have

The uniqueness of She

An abundance of versatility

Every look is beautiful to me

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From the VCC team...

Tiffany Gordon: An Anthology of Poetry ~ Vocal Creators Chronicle

When you read Tiffany Gordon's poetry, you will find pulsing through it a heartbeat pounding with spirituality. Each verse is loaded with a desire to build empathy, to share perspective, to grow love.

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Finally...

Learning to Become More Inclusive ~ Laiba Qureshi

An entry from the recent Vocal "I Have a Dream" challenge resonated with the Vocal team. So, we thought we would share it.

This month Vocal has partnered with the I Have a Dream Foundation to create the "We Have a Dream Challenge". We ask that instead of tips to us, you contribute instead to their cause.

If you'd like to read our challenge entry, it's featured below. We will never stop reaching for the stars and every step of the way we'll be amplifying the voices of the world who need to be heard.

Suggested Reading for Further Study:

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And because Canada has a BHM too, let us consider the extraordinary Viola Desmond.

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Vocal: We know you're ready for us. Please help us shout!

Until next time, reminding you we are #bettertogether

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First published February 22, 2022 by The Vocal Creators Chronicle.

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