As February ushers in fun holidays and traditions like Groundhog’s Day, Valentine’s Day, the Super Bowl, and the Lunar New Year, it also offers the opportunity to recognize those who played a central, but often underrepresented role in US history. From February 1 through March 1, we observe Black History Month, a chance to celebrate and honor the significant achievements and events of the African diaspora. 

With celebration also comes reflection: reflection on history that has been ignored or erased, as well as reflection on the sustaining racial inequities and injustices prevalent in our current world. Conversations regarding race and injustice can be hard and uncomfortable, but necessary for us to move forward and understand our history from all perspectives. Black history is intersectional with American history, though many events or achievements are often overlooked, forgotten, or misrepresented. As former pastor Mark Croston said, “our uniquenesses all tell a part of the human story—to ignore them is to ignore a part of God’s good creation.”
In order to understand black history, we must learn. The Spirit of Justice team has compiled resources below to help begin the process of learning and reflection. 

• We encourage you to start by learning more about Black History Month and check out the many resources and online events provided by the Library of Congress. 
• Read about A History of Racial Injustice and sign up to receive daily “On this Day” emails to learn from the past.
• The 2022 theme for Black History Month is “Black Health and Wellness.” Read about the inequalities and injustices African-Americans face in healthcare. 
• Stay local! Visit African-American cultural attractions including historic homes, universities, parks, and museums in the Raleigh area. 
• Watch 13th on Netflix (TV-MA) – In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.