Let's Take A Moment To Chat Before We All Dive Into Black History Month 2021
Tomorrow is the first day of February, the start of the observation of Black History Month in the United States. And if you’re Black and work with 90% white people every day you’re likely already tired and the month hasn’t even started yet. To my Black folx: boundaries, y’all. Boundaries. We don’t owe anyone anything when it comes to sharing our Blackness. They [white people] don’t pay you enough and will never pay you enough to carry them through the shortest month of the year. Set your boundaries up early and reiterate ‘em to every white habitual line stepper you know. Make Black History Month about your self-care.
And while I’m at it, let me state publicly that I’m not available for consultations or conversations about anti-Blackness that I don’t personally initiate for the month of February 2021. After last year’s protests and the subsequent massive wave of white folx and non-Black people of color having “Black Lives Matter fatigue” and slowly distancing themselves from caring about my people dying toward the end of 2020? Y’all can find somebody else to help you and your company deal with your white fragility and inability to not perpetuate white supremacy while you misquote Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. Holla at me in March 2021 if you really wanna be about that life. Holla at me in the months with more than 28 days. Holla at me when it doesn’t “look good” to do so.
Black History Month ain’t a month for you to use and tokenize Black people. Do better.