“But it would be historically inaccurate to reduce the contributions of Black people to the vast material wealth created by our bondage. Black Americans have also been, and continue to be, foundational to the idea of American freedom. More than any other group in this country’s history, we have served, generation after generation, in an overlooked but vital role: it is we who have been the perfecters of this democracy.” – Nikole Hannah Jones, The 1619 Project

This Black History Month felt different for me.

First of all, February seemed like it had somewhere to go. Where to? We don’t know.

I agree with what one former sensational performer and certified ‘80s bad boy once wisely said: “We need a whole year.” (That’s Bobby Brown).

Now, don’t get me wrong, I celebrate Black History every single day by putting money into Black businesses’ pockets, pouring into mentees and honoring the talents I’ve been gifted with to make an impact in this world.

But still, it just feels off. I know you probably feel it too. So I want to address this current anxiety-ridden era we find ourselves in.

It’s not a conspiracy to say that we are living in a precarious time when Black livelihoods are under attack with the current federal administration’s bans on our celebrations, threats on our civil rights privileges at education institutions and plans for massive firings at our jobs.

It’s overwhelming. And yet…at the same time, I think about that Nikole Hannah Jones’s work on the 1619 Project, which not only made the case of that America’s brutal system of slavery had long-lasting impacts on every aspect of our lives for 400 years, but also that Black Americans have pushed this country to live up to the Founding Fathers’ ideals of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” for ALL of its citizens.

My foremothers and forefathers resisted and protested against powers that were white supremacist, patriarchal and oppressive to marginalized people.

Last year, I decided to educate folks about the rich Black history in Los Angeles on Twitter/X. Nearly every day, I wrote about how Biddy Mason, a former enslaved woman, became one of the first influential citizens and wealthiest landowners in L.A., how Paul Revere Williams, a Black architect helped design LAX’s Theme building along with more than 3,000 buildings across the city and how Black journalists in L.A. played a major role in re-integrating the NFL, among so many other facts.

When I think about the our history in Los Angeles, and all over the country, it gives me hope.

It makes me feel like I have a role in fighting in things that seem bigger than me too. In 2015, Toni Morrison wrote an article for The Nation entitled “No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear.” In the article, she wrote about feeling helpless after the presidential re-election of George W. Bush. In the article, she writes about events that feel eerily similar to what we’re facing now in America. She talked to an artist peer of hers who encouraged her and told her that this is actually time when artists work:

“None of this bodes well for the future. Still, I remember the shout of my friend that day after Christmas: No! This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” – Toni Morrison

So that’s what I aim to do.

I want to hear from you. What Black History Month fact keeps you motivated to do something great? What gives you hope for the future? Email me at [email protected].

FEATURED STORY

Kids these days: What L.A.’s Black and Latine youth say about living in America right now 

By Aaricka Washington 

Times are changing rapidly. Donald Trump is back in office in for a second term as president. Los Angeles County’s communities in the Palisades and Eaton Canyon were traumatized by fires that lasted nearly 25 days and many families are still picking up the pieces of their lives. 

We can only imagine what young people are facing as their country undergoes so many changes. And, we wanted to hear from them. What are their fears, hopes and plans of action? How will they achieve their dreams in such an unprecedented time in history?

“I’m honestly really scared for my future as a young Black female.” — Constance Emory

“Since the new presidency, my life hasn’t changed drastically yet, but I have noticed shifts in policies that could impact my future.” — Gary Johnson

“Thinking about what is going on not just in our country but around the world has brought me a deep feeling of dread. It's like I am constantly sinking beneath the floor or being buried alive and there is nothing I can do.” — Drew McKnight

“Although not much in my personal life has changed, it is heartbreaking to see my friends have to worry for their safety. In my personal life, I plan to take action by offering the support that I am able to provide.” —Amorrah Jones

“There are so many people in my community with different experiences and as a youth, not only do I enjoy hearing about them, but it benefits us by hearing different perspectives and growing from them.” — Lizbeth Villalobos

“The world is pretty cruel, lots of horrible stuff going on like the deaths and killing. I'm scared of that because at any moment someone can come and kill me.” — Luis Rivera

We recently held a roundtable with Community Coalition youth who are part of the South Central Youth Empowered Through Action (or SCYEA, pronounced “Say Yeah!”) program. We asked them what they thought about affording college, immigration, mental health care, the economic crisis and community activism. Read the essays six students wrote for us to publish, and watch a recording of our conversation below.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH COLLAB WITH THE THREAD

For Black History Month, AfroLA partnered with journalist Ethan Ward (a frequent AfroLA contributor) from The Thread newsletter to highlight everyday people who are integral and impactful to our communities but often overlooked, especially after they’re gone. This aligns with our shared missions of shining light on stories you might not otherwise hear. Through responsible AI analyses of obituaries, The Thread helps us uncover these stories, matching AfroLA’s approach and ethos, to integrating AI in the newsroom.

Each week in February, we will share excerpts from carefully curated “exhibits” from The Thread centered around stories of Black Los Angeles.

Learn more about The Thread, and subscribe to get a fresh issue every Sunday.

Week Four: AfroLA x The Thread: Preserving Black voices

What happens when the audio of Black people’s actual voices is lost forever?

Jocelyn Robinson, director of radio preservation and archives at WYSO and leader of the HBCU Radio Preservation Project realized that the audio was being displaced once libraries were moved. Now, she is making sure that it doesn’t happen again. In an interview with the thread, Jocelyn spoke about the importance of saving Black radio archives and what we could learn about memory, community and choosing what stories that make it through the rubble. Check it out.

THE ROUNDUP

Advice to California schools on Trump’s DEI crackdown: Do nothing yet

By Carolyn Jones (CalMatters)

We already know that Trump is trying to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion programs with his sweeping executive orders, but California lawmakers and legislative advocates are telling school authorities to “take a breath,” “stand firm” and “stay focused.” Politicians and education organization leaders are saying that they will fight back against Trump and the Department of Education’s directives to get rid of programs that support students in their racial/ethnic identities. According to the California Department of Education, the racial demographic breakdown of the state’s public-school students in 2023-24 was 56.1% Latine, 20.3% white, 9.9% Asian and 4.9% Black. Read the story.

* * *

Meet the Black women who way survivalism Is a necessity, not a trend

By Rebekah Sager (Capital B)

What does it look like to prepare for the very worst of society as a Black woman?

Rebekah Sager spoke with five Black women survivalists about the necessity of stockpiling on food and being armed in a time when hate crimes, the impacts of climate change and civil unrest are all increasing in the United States. For them, top of mind is being self-sufficient and prepared with emergency supplies kits. They are members of various Facebook groups aimed to ensure that Black people know how to take care of themselves in unprecedented times.

Read their very different survivalist stories and what they have to say about being prepared for any type of emergency as a Black person.

* * *

‘It’s where we see ourselves’: For Black History Month, writers return to the books that shaped them

By Eden Turner (The 19th)

Are you looking for books that place resistance, resilience, revolution at the forefront? Eden Turner spoke with Black writers – Trelani Michelle, Eric Darnell Pritchard, Bee Quammie and Noni Carter – about their recommended reads for precarious political times. I am personally pleased that some of the books the writers recommended were works that I hold dear to my heart.

MORE STORIES

The kids are alright? How kids are coping with the loss of homes and schools to Eaton Fire

by Marina Peña 

While many 11-year-olds are making stronger friends, facing peer pressure and becoming more independent, some local young people are navigating insurmountable circumstances: The traumatic loss of their homes, neighborhoods and schools.

After losing their Altadena home in the Eaton Fire in January, Eshele Williams's 11-year-old son Brayden has been struggling to adjust to the changes in his life.

“It’s really difficult to  realize that my home isn’t there anymore,” Brayden said. “ I’m just trying to get my mind off of the things that we’ve been going through these past weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing my whole family soon because we are all staying in different places now.”

Altadena resident and mom Darcy French-Myerson is also trying to help her 9-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son process the loss of their home and what that means for their lives.

“When my daughter first found out about the loss of our home, her first thought was concern for our neighbors and knowing whether they were OK…” French-Myerson said. “But now as the weeks have gone, there’s moments where she realizes what was lost and they’re all these irreplaceable things."

French-Myerson explained her daughter is now struggling to sleep and having nightmares. Her son, though, has been reacting to the loss in a different way. “He’s kind of being matter of fact about it all. The loss from the fire can be felt in his play a lot.

“It can be seen in his drawings a lot,” French-Myerson said. “He’s also had some physical expressions of the loss. He’s been having accidents even though he’s potty-trained and is dysregulated.”

For Kristen Schaffer and her wife Linda's 10 and 15-year-old daughters, the reality is starting to sink. They lost their beds, journals, artwork and musical instruments that were important to them. Schaffer said what’s really helped her family during this time is the overwhelming support from strangers.

“Friends have written and just said, ‘Hey, what can I get the girls?’ Another friend bought them both [Nintendo] Switches, their game consoles," Schaffer said.

AfroLA reporter Marina Peña spoke with three families about how the Eaton Fire has impacted children's sense of normalcy in a time of crucial social, intellectual and emotional development. The fire has stripped away the comfort of predictability, leaving these young survivors in a state of emotional upheaval. For them, the trauma is not just about what was lost but about the uncertainty of what comes next, as they navigate a new reality without anchors that were part of their daily lives. Read their stories, as well as what is currently giving their families hope.

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