We’re pumped that Black History Month gives us space to honor Black power, joy, and resilience, and yet, current events point to a different reality–one where Black stories are under attack.
From the censorship of the new AP African American Studies curriculum to banning books by Black authors, it feels like some institutions aren’t exactly catching on to the whole “Black history is American history” concept. Some students are fed up, and last week students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama staged a walkout to protest censorship of the school's annual Black History Month program. There are also numerous stories of Black educators speaking up about banned books, like Zaylore Scott, who reminds us that banning books by Black authors is nothing new.
These acts of resistance provide a glimpse of hope that we can indeed use our voices to lift Black stories up. In fact, at the same time that censorship of Black history is growing, “scholars are producing groundbreaking new works around art, slavery, civil rights, and the Great Migration,” according to Axios. It’s time to stop censoring history, and our Uncensored program is a great place to start. We’re inviting you to read a banned book by a Black author and to share your thoughts on it with your peers. Plus, you’ll get a chance to earn a $1K scholarship while you’re at it. ;)
Let’s Do This! DoSomething |
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Our members are already diving into Uncensored and sharing their thoughts on the banned books by Black authors they’re reading:
DoSomething member Kayla said, "I read "The Hate You Give" by Angie Thomas. Thomas grew up in the same situation/environment she writes about, so her novels accurately account for what happens. I started a book club at my high school, and we're doing a fundraiser to get the money to get a club set of this novel; to spread Black voices and reality check most of the students in the club. I think it is very important that White students are aware of how lucky they are to not have that kind of fear when they get pulled over, that something will happen to them as it did to Khalil. I try to advocate that a lot in the novels I pick for my book club. I try to get as many banned books into my club as possible."
“The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is honestly one of the best books I have ever read.” said DoSomething member Kaylie. “This books makes the American People really think about how we are treating people of different ethnicities. Especially in the time that the US is at now with the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tyre Nichols and so many others, manuscripts such as this book are essential for the hands of Americans as well as their minds. I will advocate for including banned titles in my community by going straight to my local government. I plan to set up a petition so that more community members have a say in what gets banned as well as why the titles get banned.”
Add your hot takes on the value these books and stories have on society. |
ICYMI… Justine Miles, aka the American Sign Language queen who interpreted Rhianna’s performance at the Superbowl, is becoming a viral sensation and we’re here for it! Speaking up… We’re on a roll with stories of Black resistance, like this one about author Derrick Barnes, whose books were banned in Alabama, sparking community-wide support.
Making (hair) history… is actress and CEO Tracee Ellis Ross, who spent two years designing a hair dryer that would work for textured hair, saying, “For some people, it means nothing; for others, it’s an actual language. There are stories in our hair.”
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CollegeXpress
February is the perfect time to thank your school counselor for alllll the help they’ve been giving you with preparing for your post-school dreams! Our friends at CollegXpress are giving away a $1,500 scholarship ($1,000 for you, $500 for your counselor), and all you have to do is answer one simple question. Complete a free profile on CollegeXpress and answer the following to be entered: How has your school counselor helped you this academic year? |
#CallForKindess
Calling all young leaders who want to change the world! Do you have an idea to lit-er-ally change the future? Answer the Call for Kindness and you could win up to $3K to fund your project. Pretty freakin’ sweet! Application deadline is April 2, 2023. Learn more here!
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