Each year for Black History Month, I make sure to take my boys to something interesting regarding the celebration of Black History Month.
Last year, in a post entitled, 4 Things to Do for Black History Month, I explained the value of visiting something or somewhere of historical importance – which led us to visiting the Muhammad Ali Childhood Home which was restored into a museum, as well as his final resting place in Louisville, Kentucky.
A Place for All People | Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
Homer Interpretive Center, Homer, Illinois
This year, we decided upon a special Smithsonian traveling exhibit called A Place for All People from the National Museum of African American History and Culture located in Washington, D.C.
A Place for All People includes a poster exhibit of a survey of the African American community’s powerful, deep, and lasting contributions to the American story. Samples of freedom stories, the brilliance of artistic and musical achievement, and the soaring heights of cultural expression, philosophy, sports, and politics are included.
Challenge Yourself | Learn Something New
Since the exhibit only gives you a sample, you are challenged to personally extend your research.
I challenged my boys and my brother to look more into something that interested them from the exhibit. For example, my youngest son was interested in Chuck Berry and his musical background, while my oldest son’s interest lied in the shattered stained glass from 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 19693.
All of which is valuable information to know and helps shape and mold them into the responsible citizens that they are becoming.
Black Girl Magic by Mahogany Browne | Book Review
Finally, once the day came to a close, I spent time with my two nieces and couldn’t help but to read them Black Girl Magic by Mahogany Browne.
Black Girl Magic is a poem about what much of the 21st century culture tells black girls – that they aren’t pretty, that they shouldn’t smile, and to not love themselves – just to name a few.
How unfair.
In response to the destructive ideas, “Mahogany challenges the conditioning of society by celebrating African American women in all of their unique beauty” through this poem and book.
While the poem was uncomfortable to read the first time through, I am glad that I did.
As the month of Black History ends, what’s one thing new or interesting that you have learned?
Black Girl Magic c/o Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
