#black present

from Vol. 20, No. 1 (Winter 1997) IN HISTORY by Jamaica Kincaid

"If you're avoiding reality how can you face it?"

"Buried by ABC at the time, the segment has resurfaced over four decades later, revealing a unique glimpse into Baldwin’s private life—as well as his resounding criticism about white fragility, as blisteringly relevant today as it was in 1979."

And now as many states try to ban books and even the discussion of race, racism, and lgbtq issues in schools, James Baldwin and many other writers and activists need more promotion than ever.

"I don't know you personally but I know you historically... You can't swear to the freedoms of mankind and at the same time put us in chains"

Swahili msemomo, saying, Ki Nacho We ze kana  leo, kifanyike leo, na sio kesho!

What can be done today, Must Be done TODAY, not Tomorrow

Morale Wisdom:

You know the past not the future, don’t wait until tomorrow, can you guarantee you will be here to do what you need to do.

Black Present

How has Black History Month changed over time? I asked my students this question at the start of February, and invited them to share past experiences of celebrating Black History Month in school. Many of them talked about writing their own “I Have a Dream” speech, or reading about Rosa Parks. Outside of Obama and Beyoncé, few of them knew many present-day black heroes. So I asked them, “Should we take time during Black History Month to celebrate Black Present? Should we take time to acknowledge black makers currently making?” They responded with a unanimous “Yes!” One student even added: “We need to celebrate Black Present to remind us of past racism and acknowledge great black makers today.”

This year I updated my Black Present list (see last year’s list here) to include makers of all types:

Black Present Makers, 2016

Artists: Ellen Gallagher, Mark Bradford, Joshua Mays, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Mickalene Thomas

Scientists: Mae Jemison, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stephanie Wilson

Entrepreneurs: Kimberly Bryant, James E. West

Designer: Justin Edmonds

Students were asked to make a present for Black Present, to choose a maker that inspired them the most, and make something for them. You can see some of their work, and read their reflections on Black Present here:

“I chose to make a piece of art inspired by Mark Bradford because I really like the style of his works and his idea of reusing materials that one would think of as trash and make it into art. The piece I made today was inspired by his painting the tears of a tree.”

You can play this student’s game here.