Let's Celebrate Black History, Resistance, and Joy for Black History Month

Submitted by Durham Tech Library on

Resilience, Resistance, and Radiance: A Tribute to Black History

Black History Month is more than a calendar event--it’s a tapestry of resilience woven by generations.

As we honor the past, let’s remember the indomitable spirit of those who paved the way. From Harriet Tubman’s clandestine journeys on the Underground Railroad to the eloquence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream” speech, their courage echoes through time.

The Underground Railroad: Authentic Narratives and First-Hand Accounts by William Still
The Gift of Black Folk: The Negros in the Making of America by W.E.B. Du Bois
Riding Jane Crow: African American Women on the American Railroad by Miriam Thaggert

Resistance is etched into the DNA of Black history. It’s the refusal to be silenced, the audacity to demand justice. We elevate struggles such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, where ordinary people sparked extraordinary change. Give thanks to Rosa Parks, whose quiet defiance, ignited a movement that would shake the world. Let’s honor the countless unsung heroes who stood tall against oppression.

Traveling Black: A Story of Race and Resistance by Mia Bay
Radical Black Theater and the New Deal by Kate Dossett
The Colored Conventions Movement: Black Organizing in the Nineteenth Century edited by P. Gabrielle Foreman, Jim Casey, and Sarah Lynn Patterson

Amid struggle, there’s joy—a radiant flame that refuses to be extinguished. Black joy dances in the rhythm of jazz, the vibrancy of art, and the laughter shared at family gatherings. It’s Maya Angelou’s poetic verses and the electric energy of a gospel choir. Let’s celebrate the joy that thrives despite adversity, for it’s a testament to the human spirit.

Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors by Rue Mapp
We Are Not Broken: A Memoir by George M. Johnson
I Color Myself Different by Colin Kapernick

Black history isn’t confined to a month; it’s a heartbeat that hums year-round. So, let’s amplify Black voices, uplift Black creators, and weave unity into our workplaces, schools, and communities. Together, we’ll continue the legacy of RESILIENCE, RESISTANCE, AND JOY.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass 

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