February 2022
Black History Month
The Voyager 7
Black authors you should read this Black History Month By MAHAWA BANGOURA ‘23 Arts and Culture Editor
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wo things might come to your mind when you hear the month February: Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. In 1926, the shortest month of the year was chosen by Carter G Woodson to not only celebrate Black excellence and progress, but also to acknowledge 400 years of oppression. This annual celebration was to raise awareness to the upcoming yet deep rooted history of African Americans and learn about their effects in schools. However, the depressing truth is that most schools won’t even acknowledge this month as anything other than Valentine’s Day on the 14th, and some history teachers certainly won’t interrupt their strict lesson plans to discuss topics that occurred “too long ago.” Isn’t that the point of history, though? With a state legislator in Texas banning a list of 850 books because students may feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress” and Florida also banning a list of 16 books for “obscene materials” (as if they’ve never walked around in a public high school to hear the obscene things being said there), I am recommending you five books you should read by Black authors this month for Black History Month. Concrete Rose by the New York Times bestselling author, Angie Thomas, is a prequel to her debut novel The Hate U Give which sold 182,981 print copies. Thomas grips us through her storytelling in this coming-of-age story about 17-year-old Maverick, who we knew as
Starr’s father in The Hate U Give, learning what it truly means to become a man when he becomes a father as a teenager. I remember the whirlwind of emotions I felt reading this book. Trust me, you want it in your hands. (January 12, 2021). Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle is a YA romance, pitched as Hitch meets The Sun Is Also A Star. It tells the love story of Prince Jones, a teenage boy who has his own radio segment, of course called “Love Radio,” meeting Dani Ford who isn’t looking for love, but the connection between her and Prince could set off fireworks. Can you guess where it goes? Don’t just guess. Read the book! (May 31, 2022). Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge paints the story of grace, elegance, and struggle in the search for freedom. In Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson, the daughter of a Black female physician, is urged by her mother to become a doctor, but Libertie would rather pursue music. So, when a suitor from Haiti proposes to Libertie promising true equality on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is far from living the life of freedom she craves. I have yet to read this book myself, but we can read it together! (March 30, 2021). The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris tells the story of two young Black women, Nella and Hazel, meeting against the starkly white backdrop of the New York City book publishing industry. While working together at Wagner Books, they’ve only just started swapping natural hair-care tips when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to office darling, and leaves Nella in the dust. Just the name of this book had me rolling
For the Culture: a Spotlight on AASU By MADISON JOLLEY ‘23 News Editor
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LACK HISTORY MONTH! The one month of the year that recognizes the rich history and culture of African Americans from the past and the future. This month, The Voyager is recognizing the work and leadership of the African American Student Union of Eastern Regional High School (ASSU)! I was able to meet with the club co-leaders, sophomores Mirabella Gibson and Lanca Amankwaah to talk about the club’s purpose, upcoming activities, and more. Both Gibson and Amankwaah said they wanted to be co-leaders to help spread awareness and make a difference in our school’s community. “The main purpose of AASU is to unite as one because there’s not that much representation in school. It is a club that gets together to do activities that relate to our culture,” Gibson said. “We want to spread education about not only African American culture, but also African culture. Naturally, for the past couple of weeks, the club has created amazing events to highlight BHM, from debates, to meetings with Black creators who are breaking barriers and making headway in their respective industries.
The first event that took place was a debate on February 8th. During the debate, participants talked about various topics such as “Do you think it is a big deal for people to touch your hair?”, “Should teachers skip the N-word when reading a book aloud?”, “Should Black Lives Matter fight for all lives?”, and so many more. Both Gibson and Amankwaah said that the debate was successful, as many came to take part in the conversation so that their voices could be heard. The second event on February 22nd was a conversation with Chef Eric Adjepong, who is an acclaimed chef and the host of “Alex vs. America” on the Food Network. During this conversation, Adejepong talked about how he loved to share his African culture in his food, and discussed the various barriers he has had to face in the food industry. The final event for BHM was a screening of the critically-acclaimed movie The Hate U Give in the Learning Center on February 24th. Gibson hopes that more students participate in future activities, “I want more freshmen and seniors to come out and just join the fun!” Make sure to spread the word about the amazing things AASU is doing not only during this month, but for the whole school year!
Members of the African American Student Union (AASU) gather for their Black History Month debate. Photo supplied by Mirabella Gibson ‘24
Pick up some of these books any time out of the 365 days of the year, not Photo by Mahawa Bangoura ‘23/Canva.com just this month! with excitement. It sings Black History Month. Or maybe that’s just me, but this book is definitely on my to-be-read list. (June 1, 2021). Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray brings to life the lack of Magic in the broken city of Lkossa, especially for girls like sixteenyear-old Koffi. Indentured to the notorious Night Zoo, she cares for its fearsome and magical creatures to pay off her family’s debts and secure their eventual freedom. Koffi and Ekon enter the magical Greater Jungle in pursuit of a murderous creature called the Shetani. Pushed and marketed by publishers, I couldn’t blink without seeing this book splattered every-
where and rightfully so. Ms. Gray takes us to another world — a world of Black people and I believe that should be celebrated (September 8, 2021). The list of books here are just recommendations from me. There are so many other Black writers out there, spilling with ideas to not only express the effects of Black trauma, but also embolden Black love, Black joy, and Black excellence. Don’t just do it for this month. Pick up some of these books any time out of the 365 days of the year and don’t let old white men silence the importance of BIPOC history, especially when they’re being told as stories.
The impact of early African American journalism is still present today By CASSIDY GOLIN ‘24 Features Editor
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n March 16, 1827, free-born African Americans John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish founded Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned-and-operated newspaper in the United States. Established in a newly-freed New York state, the paper acted as a guide to over 300,000 newly-released African Americans. The paper boldly countered the opinions of many mainstream whiteowned newspapers who openly supported slavery and racial discrimination. It shared editorials on the Black experience regarding discrimination, slavery, and overall racial injustice faced by African Americans. With a $3 per year subscription, Freedom’s Journal spoke out against lynching and advocated for African American political rights. Russwurm and Cornish hoped to encourage intellectual development among African Americans, raise awareness, and strengthen ties amongst the African American people. The U.S had established anti-literacy laws that forbade enslaved people from learning to read and write due to fear of inspired revolt. “Once you learn to read you will be forever free,” said Black activist, author, and public speaker Fredrick Douglass. Though born into slavery, Douglass taught himself to read and write while teaching other enslaved individuals lit-
eracy using the Bible. After escaping slavery in 1838, Douglass went on to open his own newspaper, The North Star in 1847. It accomplished similar goals to Freedom’s Journal, and had a significant impact on the movement. Becoming one of the most influential antislavery publications of the pre-civil war era, The North Star bacme a crucial tool in the abolitionist movement. “After the Civil War, there was an enormous burst of energy, a desire to communicate, a desire to connect, with Black people establishing newspapers in any town, even tiny ones. It was their first opportunity to use the written word without fear of reprisal,” said journalist, educator, and author Phyl Garland. The printed word could be used as means of political protest while unifying a community. African-American journalist Vernon Jared said, “We didn’t exist in the other papers...We were never born, we didn’t get married, we didn’t die, we didn’t fight in any wars, and we never participated in anything scientific. We were truly invisible unless we committed a crime.” Today, there are over 200 Black-owned newspapers across the U.S, specifically in the NNPA (National Negro Publishers Association). The significance of the Black press has never been forgotten, and should never be forgotten. As Samuel Cornish once said, “Blacks should speak to themselves and for themselves. No other can speak for us.”
Russwurm and Cornish hoped to encourage intellectual development among African Americans, raise awareness, and strengthen ties between Black communities.
