Black History Month 2021

Tuesday, 2nd February 2021

What a year to start off 2021 with a bang, with young poet laureate Amanda Gorman delivering that beautiful powerful speech at the US inauguration of President Joe Biden and the first Black, the first South Asian and the first female Vice President Kamala Harris.

As much as we must celebrate our wins and victories, and how far we have come as a society, we must not forget where we come from and how far we still have to come.

Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html

So much happened at once, exploding after George Floyd's unlawful, inhumane death and representing the spark to underlying issues being experienced by African Americans for years at the point, which simply hadn't received the recognition it deserved. It was a boiling point, left unchecked and unfortunately unresolved by what the 2016 protests hoped to achieve.

That being said, I had never seen so much support and activism for BLM and with the rise of Tiktok as a powerful platform for the youth, and the unsteady political landscape crafted by President Trump.

(There will be doing an article on his chaotic presidency, propaganda, particular language use, and fascist elements displayed by him, throughout his time in the White House and what it means for the fragility of American democracy, politics and justice)

What I hope for this February is to remember and recognise Black Excellence throughout history, include and review positive representation in media, celebrate black poets, musicians, writers, activists and artists who are currently alive and underrated through fun, innovative and interactive ways. I hope to also facilitate healthy discussions on all things concerning the black community, both external and internally, and educate others on the topic. As an ex conservative, currently a left-wing leaning moderate (I like to understand both sides, but I'm probably more liberal), I can safely say I understand most viewpoints and where the people behind this viewpoints come from.

My first Top 5 recommendations:

1. Join the 28 days of a virtual exhibition on Black History through email:http://28daysofblackhistory.com?grsf=6qb9lp

2. Watch | Django: Unchained by Quentin Tarantino

3. https://www.tiktok.com/@fatraco0n?lang=en

4. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/tech/2021/02/02/black-lives-matter-blm-facebook-instagram-tiktok-influencers-john-legend/4014707001/

5. https://www.instagram.com/antiracismdaily/?hl=en

Can't wait to embark on this journey with you, until then.

Open your mind - Zukiswa