Every February, Black History Month offers us an opportunity to reflect on the history and achievements of Black individuals who have helped shape the world. Some examples of these powerful leaders are Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr, who fought for freedom and equal rights.
Librarian and English teacher Ms. McCarthy considers Black History Month as an opportunity to shed light on our history. She said, “History is an interpretation, so if you read any book, you’re going to get a little angle, you’re going to get a little image, you’re going to get a snapshot of that person’s perspective on history.” McCarthy emphasized the importance of reading books by Black authors, but she expressed concern that many of these books aren’t being checked out. Students don’t seem to be seeking out this type of literature.
A book that doesn’t get enough attention but McCarthy recommends is The Burning of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which is new to library shelves because, for the first time, the Tulsa Race Massacre is being taught in History classes.
This massacre was believed to be the worst act of racial violence in American History. It started when a black man named Dick Rowland was accused of assaulting a white woman in an elevator. We never get full details on what actually happened, but Rowland was found guilty and sent to be lynched. Before he could be lynched, however, a group of armed black men stood outside the courthouse in an attempt to free him. Fights broke out, which then led to the massacre, where buildings were burned down, and many black citizens were killed.
Librarian and English teacher Ms. Lee considers Black History Month to be a way to shine a spotlight on African American history. She also expressed that we need to study “African-Americans and injustices all year long.” An author that Lee recommends is Ta-Nehisi Coates. His book Between the World and Me is written as letters from the author to his son about his personal experiences being a Black man in America during the 1980s and 90s. In his novel, Coates addresses the unattainability of the American Dream for Black Americans. Lee shared, ”Until I read that book, I had no idea what it was like to live your life in fear all of the time.”
Lee and McCarthy love this book and are currently teaching it in the Ethnic Studies version of English III.
A lesser-known novel that Ms. Lee thinks deserves more attention is Home Going by Yaa Gyasi. This book traces the descendants of two half-sisters, Ghana and Effia, exploring the legacy of slavery and power across continents and centuries.
Reading during Black History Month encourages us to acknowledge past struggles and resilience. So next time you’re in the library, pick up one of these books and learn more about the Black experience in America.
Kora Hendrie
Kora Hendrie is currently a junior at Ukiah High School. She was born and raised in Ukiah. This is her first year taking journalism, and so far she really enjoys writing about her hometown. In her free time, she enjoys reading and hanging out with friends and family.