It’s Almost Black History Month
It’s almost that time again…Black History Month. A month intended to highlight and celebrate all that is black history and culture.
However, if you’re a black person you may be anxiously awaiting inappropriate requests for free labor from your job, neighbors, or other community. You may be wondering what type of cultural appropriation, micro-aggressions (and let’s face it - macro-aggressions) you may see in the media or simply outside.
It’s okay to say no.
It’s okay to not lead the black history month celebration for free (or at all). It’s okay to not record a video of “what black history means to me” for your company - for free. It’s okay to celebrate your black history this month, and all year long, however you want.
It’s also okay to fully participate in all of the above, if that’s what you’d like to do.
As a black person in America, it is mentally & physically exhausting navigating the realities of systemic racism & oppression. You are in no way obligated to perform every February in ways that are not reflective of how you want to celebrate the blackness you live 24/7/365. You are in no way obligated to educate folx for free (if that’s literally what your job description entails - you’re still not doing it for free).
Set your boundaries in advance, lean into them, and maintain your peace this February and all year.