stuck in black history month

Hey readers,
Welcome back to Tuesday's Takeaways!
This week our Top Quotes will be interspersed throughout a larger message. ​

• Takeaway Trivia of the week: Do you know why Black History Month takes place during February? And that every Black History Month has a theme? Find out why and what this year's theme is at the bottom of the post! 

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Black History Month is a time to, in the words of President Gerald R. Ford, “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
In doing so, we must acknowledge not only how far we have come, but how far we still have to go
because....
we are still wondering

               "When will the day arrive that we can all come together and join forces?
    So that we may one day concur, people are more than their skin and more than their
                                                                         religion,
       We must understand that they are their hearts and souls within"
                                                                        - Zoe Christie, We All Would Win

because…
                                                    "Our generations shouldn’t be
                                        Dodgeball where we instead dodge the bullets
                                                                        In schools
                                                                    From the police
                                                 Who only seem to shoot the innocents
                             The colored innocents, like Trayvon Martin and Stephon Clark
                                                 Who are now not only black or brown
                                                                But are stained in red"
                                                                   -Alyna Valderrama, #ThisIsAmerica

because... 
no one should be shamed for their skin color
and although there are times you may feel like this:

                                         "I return every night to walk around in peace
                                          When no eye can see a mile away and laugh
                                          At the darkness of my skin that takes refuge in
                                         The beauty of stars shining on the waters."
                                                                             -Beaton Galafa, Autumn 

Just know that there will be a time when you will feel like this:

                                           "My Blackness is far from skin deep
                                                                     It is an essence
                                                                  It is a walk, a talk
                                                                     A smile, a look
                                                                It’s my fist held high
                                                                                                  [...] 
                                               My Blackness is loud and forthright
                                                      My beauty, unfair and lovely
                                               My Blackness is far from skin deep
                                                                It is my everything."
                                                 -Nya Archie, MY BLACKNESS IS FAR FROM SKIN DEEP

And as we celebrate this Black History Month, we will keep in mind that everyone must be guaranteed the ability and access to thrive, and that the fight to change the twisted course of history will not be over until then. 

Comment below to let us know what you think of these quotes!
​
And now...

The reason Black History Month takes place in February is because it was originally a week-long celebration to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12). However, its founder, historian Carter G. Woodson also had this month in mind because of other important events that are important to Black history, such as the passing of the 15th amendment (February 3), granting black citizens the right to vote, the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (February 12), and the birthday of W. E. B. DuBois (February 23). 
This year, the theme of Black History Month is migration.

Next week's theme is going to be about fairy tales!
Make sure to stay tuned! <3

-Mic and Gina