Black History Month is an annual celebration to honor the history of the African diaspora. February was chosen as the month dedicated to the remembrance of African-Americans achievements and struggles.
This last Saturday, on the 21st of March, we also celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day, in 1960, police murdered 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid in Sharpeville, South Africa.
In the light of these two very important events, I bring to you the “1619 Project”. This ongoing project, developed by The New York Times Magazine, aims to reframe the legacy of slavery in the USA.
It includes essays on the history of different aspects of contemporary American life, such as its economic might, the electoral system or even its diet. It reflects on public health and education inequities, mass-incarceration and the endemic racial fears and epidemic hate.
“American history cannot be told truthfully without a clear vision of how inhuman and immoral the treatment of black Americans has been. By acknowledging this shameful history, by trying hard to understand its powerful influence on the present, perhaps we can prepare ourselves for a more just future. That is the hope of this project.”
You can have access to the full issue of the 1619 project here and listen to their podcast. Find out more about the crucial role of the black community in the US story. Reflect on the consequences of slavery and Black Americans’ contributions as central to this country’s identity and democracy.
