What Black History Means To Me
02-02-2022
By Valorie Tatum, Junior MDIV
When asked the question, “What does Black History Means To Me?” It goes far beyond just being proud of my culture's history. It goes far beyond the diversity of cultures my family is made of. It goes far beyond holding to the traditions that binds us as a people and community. It goes far beyond the childhood essays we would write for history classes. It is more than the simple definitions found on google and very rarely utilized dictionaries in our past reference materials. It is more than a time when African-Americans can take the time out and see what the people before them fought for. It is more than a time of rejoicing, celebrating And thanking those African-Americans for giving us hope or a life lesson that could be used.
Black History to me is a time of reformation implementation for women and men alike. It is a time of narrative voices, calling to vocational missiology and advocacy of equity of resources for a people with great contribution to their communities, society, civic issues and world social injustice platforms. Black History to me is taking the invisible and visible to the table and discussing the challenges and changes that are ongoing pivoting concerns for a people of oppression and oppressor behaviors. Black History to me is the foundational and fundamental processes that define our spiritual calling. Black History to me is the elephant in the room for theologians and historians to understand the suffrage of Black Lives Matter, the systematic traumas and the loss of contribution markers in academia discoveries.
Black History to me is the raising up and recognition of those prophetic and spiritual leaders that will advocate for the unique needs of Black people around the world. Black History to me is my roots within the Wesleyan Heritage surrounding vital piety and social holiness within the church and outside the church. Black History to me is my commitment to the inclusiveness practices and justice forging of all being oppressed. Black History to me is that legacy of history, persons, programs, and notable markers that shaped Reformational Periods, formed Foundations to support the injustices in our homeland and the United States.
Black History to me is the empowering of my Black children to effectively witness and service among church leaders, schools and the larger community their narratives and purpose in a world of oppression. Black History to me is encouraging others to stand for economical and social justice. Black History to me is the exposure of privileges not set on equitable grounds in this United States for black and brown people. Black History to me continues to be an agitating conscience on all that steal or erase its existence. Black History to me is Black History 365 days a year and never ending.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash
