Celebrating Black History Month Beyond Symbols

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The author describes an encounter with a woman wearing a Black History Month t-shirt featuring African imagery, and reflects on how the celebration could instead highlight pioneering Black Americans like Rev. Lemuel Haynes, Judge William H. Hastie, and Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson - individuals who built institutions, broke barriers, and achieved remarkable accomplishments.

Why it matters

The author's reflections underscore how Black History Month celebrations often focus on symbols of oppression rather than celebrating the diverse accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. Highlighting these pioneering figures could provide a richer, more empowering way to observe the month.

The details

While walking down the street, the author noticed a woman wearing a Black History Month t-shirt featuring African imagery. This prompted the author to imagine alternative t-shirt designs that could celebrate influential Black Americans, such as Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the first Black ordained minister in America and first Black holder of an honorary master's degree; Judge William H. Hastie, the first Black appellate Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals; and Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, a pioneering Black pastor.

• The author's encounter with the woman occurred the other day.