Black History Wha?

Is it just me but has this Black History month been exceedingly underwhelming?

Though the current generation emphasizes "black excellence", I have not even heard a hummed melody of Lift Every Voice and Sing, but I sure did see pictures of Martin Luther King and President Barack Obama with a diamond earring, a fade, and ear-pods.

Well Netflix recently aired a new Malcolm X documentary that calls to re-open the past investigation of his murder, so is that it?

Listen, I'm not a Historian, but my Africana Studies classes in undergrad revealed the complexities of our history woven together by struggles and gains. The access to information beyond Roots is extensive and enriching, knowing that the narrative of our history is more than slavery and sorrow.

In my youth, I looked forward to Black History month to watch the reruns of movies and shows that shaped my childhood, but I don't know how enriching watching A Different World or Martin marathons can be.

I don't have all the answers but how can we incorporate pride in our culture during this time? What can we do to make this month count?

As a grown up, instead of comedy marathons, I like to watch shows that are informative and fill the void of Black knowledge. PBS has been one of my favorites go-tos, and they did not disappoint when they aired Black Panthers: Vanguard of a Revolution some years ago. Their current line up are the following which I hope to dedicate some time to watch:

| Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities

| We'll Meet Again: Freedom Summer

| American Creed

| Winnie

| Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart

| The March

| Nas Live From the Kennedy Center: Classical Hip-Hop

| John Lewis: Get in the Way

My ideas are not a solution to the seemingly declined interest in black history, but an observation from my bubble. Hopefully, we'll get it right next year, but for now I'm on a path to create my own Black History.