By PALS’ Diversity & Inclusion Team:
Ashley Parish, Jordan Henderson, Quaheem Brown, and Brenna O’Sullivan
We are in the last week of Black History Month, a time where we come together to honor the history, experiences, and contributions of Black Americans.
Black History Month began as “Negro History Week” in 1926. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, noticed a lack of awareness or understanding about the achievements of Black Americans. Woodson believed that by knowing their history, Black Americans would be inspired to achieve even more. Mr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History which sponsored the first Negro History Week. He chose a week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both widely celebrated in many Black communities.
During the late 1960s, cities across the country were celebrating Negro History Week, and more often, Black History Month. Black communities, especially those on college campuses, were more interested than ever in learning about the contributions of Black Americans. However, it was not until 1976 that President Gerald Ford officially recognized the month of February as Black History Month. Every February has been designated as Black History Month since then!
Brad Lomax with his family (via nytimes.com)
PALS would like to spotlight two individuals who played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement and the Disability Rights movement: Brad Lomax and Chuck Jackson.
In 1977, frustrated with the federal government’s failure to address disability discrimination, disability rights advocates participated in a 28-day protest at a federal building in San Francisco. These activists demanded that the government issue regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and their efforts have now become known as the “504 Sit In.”
Many of the activists lacked the necessary medical equipment, caretakers, and medication to participate in the sit in. However, Brad Lomax, and his assistant, Chuck Jackson, both members of the Black Panther Party, participated in the sit in despite the lack of support for disabled individuals at the time. Lomax was an Oakland resident who had Multiple Sclerosis, requiring him to use a wheelchair. Together, Lomax and Jackson worked to connect the Black Panthers with the activists from the Oakland Center for Independent Living participating in the sit-in. Thanks to Mr. Lomax and Mr. Jackson’s advocacy and relationship-building, the Black Panthers got involved by delivering hot meals to disability rights advocates during the 28-day protest, ensuring they could continue their important work.
Ultimately, due to this unified advocacy effort, the government issued regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which laid the groundwork for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act years later in 1990. According to disability rights activist Corbett O’Toole, these advocates “showed us what being an ally could be. We would never have succeeded without them. They are a critical part of disability history and yet their story is almost never told.”
You can read more about Brad Lomax’s incredible contributions to the Civil and Disability Rights Movements here.
How you can celebrate Black History Month, and how you can continue promoting Black history beyond just this one month? Here are some things you can do!
Support Black businesses: look for bookstores, local clothing companies, restaurants, convenience stores, banks, etc. that are Black owned. Support these businesses with your dollars! A lot of companies are making a point to highlight black-owned businesses whether they be on your favorite food delivery app or online store. The next time you are looking for an item online for a see if you can find a place that has that same product or similar product that is a Black-owned business. Check out this list of Black-owned businesses from Forbes, and be sure to check out small businesses in your community, too!
Watch movies and read books that highlight Black characters! However, be mindful when selecting your content to choose books and films that portray Black folks in a positive light rather than in caricatures or stereotypes. Here are a few books and films that we recommend.
Movies for all ages:
Soul (Disney)
Cinderella (featuring Brandy & Whitney Houston)
Little
Hidden Figures
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The Fighting Temptations
PG-13+ movies for a mature audience:
One Night in Miami (Amazon Prime)
Barbershop (2002)
Drumline
Beauty Shop
Jumping the Broom (2011)
The Photograph (2020)
Books:
Red at the Bone - Jacqueline Woodson
How to be an Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
The Yellow House - Sarah M. Broom
The World Doesn't Require You - Rion Amilcar Scott
On the Come Up - Angie Thomas
American Spy - Lauren Wilkinson
Clean Getaway - Nic Stone (children's book)
Dear Black Boy - Martellus Bennett
Hey A.J. It's Bedtime - Martellus Bennett
Hey A.J., It's Saturday - Martellus Bennett
Between the World and Me - Ta’Nehisi Coates