Progress and Its Expense Surpassing Achievements
The conclusion of a series on Black History Month has drawn mixed reactions, with many feeling that it lacks a powerful, inspiring call to action. The aim of the conclusion is a worthy one, but it seems to fall short in several key areas.
Firstly, the conclusion does not seem to have a strong, energizing conclusion. It does not serve as a galvanizing rallying cry that might inspire people to take action. Instead, it feels more like an ending rather than a call to action.
Secondly, the conclusion does not emphasize the necessity of radical action. While radical action is needed, the call for allyship feels more like a wishful conclusion rather than a concrete plan for change.
However, it is important to note that the aim of the conclusion is a worthy one. The conclusion does involve a symbolic call for more allyship, which, if executed effectively, could lead to meaningful change.
To move beyond performative acts, organizations and individuals should adopt anti-racist practices embedded in everyday work and pedagogy. This means recognizing and opposing privilege regularly, embracing risk, and speaking out publicly even when it is uncomfortable or controversial.
Black History Month can serve as a platform for these acts of allyship. By centering the voices and leadership of Black communities, offering clear plans for sustained engagement, and fostering collective action that builds cross-racial coalitions at multiple levels, Black History Month can be reimagined to foster genuine allyship and action.
True allyship requires being "100% in," engaging in antiracist behaviors across all areas of influence, and taking concrete actions such as advocacy, public speech, and community organizing at various levels—local to national. Allies must focus on building trust, maintaining sociopolitical awareness, taking responsibility, and communicating authentically about racial justice.
In summary, reimagining Black History Month for genuine allyship involves shifting from performative recognition to active, visible, risk-taking advocacy grounded in trust, knowledge, and accountability — thereby generating structural change rather than short-term visibility or reputational benefits. It's a call for a sustained, comprehensive commitment to racial justice that includes education, visible activism, and accountability.
- Ira could utilize social-media platforms to amplify the call for radical action within pop-culture and entertainment, using his influence to spark genuine discussions about race and inspire a larger following to take action.
- By adopting anti-racist practices in their everyday work and pedagogy, organizations can reimagine Black History Month as a time for meaningful entertainment and engaging content that emphasizes the necessity of true allyship, entwining pop-culture with the fight for racial justice.
