Happy Black History Month. For those who are not familiar, Black History Month is celebrated in February in the U.S., and was first established as “Negro History Week” in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), Dr. Woodson chose February as it is the birth month of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, “both men being great American symbols of freedom.” Furthermore, Dr. Woodson’s vision was not to confine the contributions of Black/African Americans to one week; he believed that the initiative would become a tradition that celebrates and acknowledges Black/African American culture.
Per ASALH, Presidential Proclamation 5443, issued by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, stated that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.” The Black/African American legacy is coupled with narratives of achievement and tragedy. Despite the ramifications associated with historical trauma and oppression stemming from the global institution of slavery, great individuals continue to rise and positively shape and influence all aspects of humanity.
ASALH determined that this year’s theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” will focus on: “...the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.”
From a public health perspective, there has been a disruption in the social determinants of health within Black/African American communities. Social determinants of health are defined by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) as “the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.” The CDC has recognized that institutionalized racism serves as a threat to social determinants of health.
I want to use this space to recognize the unsung heroes who are on the frontlines of addressing the medical needs of those affected by COVID-19 and other debilitating diseases. A recent article in CTV News spotlighted Karene-Isabelle Jean-Baptiste, a Montreal-based photographer of Haitian heritage, has used her work to highlight the lived experiences of Black women healthcare workers, which tend to go unnoticed. In the interview, Baptiste stated, “I want to, yes, show that they’re doing their work, but there’s a human side to it, there’s a vulnerability as well.” One of her subjects, Dr. Edin Mvilongo is an anesthesiologist who is part of a team that worked overtime due to the abundance of COVID-19-related cases. By posing for Baptiste, Mvilongo told CTV that she hoped to communicate that “[f]irst of all, we exist. Second of all, we matter, and third, that we need to stick together to make sure everybody gets better.”
Racial inequities associated with housing, economics, environmental conditions, education and healthcare have stifled the ability of communities to holistically engage in healthy, life-sustaining interactions. Culturally, these interactions provide opportunities for affirmation, visibility and familiarity, all of which positively impact one’s mental and physical well-being. Rituals and initiatives connected with the celebration of BHM are associated with (but not limited to) activities such as medical expert updates, art shows/exhibits, religious services, guest speakers/lectures, live performances, speeches and social gatherings coupled with traditional food dishes.
Cultural resilience embedded with the Black/African American legacy encourages families and friends to adapt and revisit how to engage in social activities such as medical and community organized online health forums, health vehicles in underserved communities and virtual religious and BHM services.
With the recent and unexpected passing of hip-hop artists, visual artists and actors such as DMX, Biz Markie, Chi Modu and Michael K. Williams, there has been an additional awakening regarding mental and physical health within Black/African American communities, and a new focus on developing healthy lifestyles that involve low-cholesterol and low-fat diets, daily exercise, mental health therapy, healthy lifestyle decision-making and regular medical screenings.
For Black History Month at SVA, we would like to provide space for dialogue and discussions to identify and address some of these issues that affect not only Black/African American communities, but the College community at large. We encourage you to attend two virtual events this month on campus, as well as support the students of the Black Student Union and their exhibition at the SVA Chelsea Gallery:
An exhibition presented by the SVA Black Student Union.
Thursday, February 3 – Monday, February 21
SVA Chelsea Gallery, 601 West 26th Street, 15th floor
BHM Panel Discussion: In Their Own Words—The Legacy of Black/African American Artists
A conversation hosted by SVA DEI, featuring Rob Fields, director of the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling; Dr. Georgette Grier Key, director of the Eastville Historical Society; TJ Sterling, comics creator and entrepreneur; and designer, consultant, writer and educator Michele Washington (MFA 2011 Design Criticism).
Thursday, February 17, 5:30pm ET
Online
BHM Campus Dialogue: The Aftermath of the Black Lives Matter Cases
DEI hosts a talk with Gloria Browne-Marshall, playwright, constitutional-law professor and civil rights lawyer, about the aftermath and impact of recent Black Lives Matter-related trials.
Tuesday, February 22, 5:00pm ET
Online; exclusive to SVA students, faculty and staff. A Zoom registration link will be sent in advance of the meeting.
For Black History Month events happening in and around New York City, check out the following resources: