DC Charter School Alliance Celebrates Black History Month
By Ariel Johnson, Executive Director
February is Black History Month, a time to honor and appreciate the rich and storied history and culture of the African American community. This year's theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the critical role of work in African American history, and the transformative impact that Black labor of all forms has had on American society as a whole.
Since its very inception, the United States has relied heavily on the power of Black workers. It was enslaved African Americans, after all, who built the wealth of the antebellum South, and their post-war descendants who migrated north to help kickstart the birth of the American manufacturing industry. African American assembly line workers manned the factories that helped liberate Europe from the Axis Powers, and African American mathematicians helped crunch the equations that allowed the U.S. to land a man on the moon. While the impact of their efforts has often gone unacknowledged, the DC Charter School Alliance recognizes that many of our country’s proudest accomplishments would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of the African American workforce.
There is perhaps no other place in the country where this legacy is more visible than in DC, a city indelibly shaped by the hands of Black workers. As proud members of the DC community, this Black History Month, we’re celebrating that legacy of hard work and the important role that our school leaders, staff, and faculty play in educating and shaping the next generation of Black engineers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, public servants, and more.
At the same time, we recognize that despite the many contributions of the African American community to our nation, their labor was contributed while enduring significant systematic oppression and mistreatment. Oppression and mistreatment that, even in the modern day, often revolves around the unjust exploitation of Black workers. This month is a time to reflect on that history, center Black voices, and continue working to dismantle unjust systems of power and privilege. Building a better, more equitable future for our city and our country requires recognizing our past.
If you are looking to celebrate this occasion or educate yourself on the history or present of the African American community, here’s a list of a few good options. Additionally, organizations like ASALH and the National Museum of African American History & Culture are hosting all kinds of events, so be sure to check those out, and don’t forget to patronize some of DC’s many Black-owned businesses this month.
