5 Ways to "Stay Woke" This Black History Month
NETFLIX SPECIAL - The 13th by Ava DuVernay
The documentary The 13th explains how the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery. However, there is a catch—this omits convicts, as found in the following quote from the Constitution: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist.” With this exception, the U.S. prison system has been able to exploit black people for free labor (essentially, slavery). The prison system convicts black people over five times the rate at which their white counterparts are convicted. The documentary explores how black people are often found to be wrongfully convicted, proven innocent after serving free labor for a prolonged amount of time. Other topics the documentary covers are the Black Lives Matter movement, police brutality against black bodies, and more. The music-infused transitions and visually interesting documentary captures my full attention with each viewing.
POEM - “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Dunbar’s poem reveals how black people had to navigate this America, and the message still applies to this day. Black people often suppress the pain they feel from experiencing various forms of oppression from the public. In the first line of Dunbar’s poem, he describes the mask as one that “grins and lies.” This is telling of the manner in which black people have to exist in America, to try to move past the pain as well as appear as if the pain isn’t there to convince others of such. However, while the pain may be concealed, it still exists. Maya Angelou’s reading of an adaptation of the poem puts Dunbar’s work into a powerful context, the last few moments of the video bring tears to my eyes.
PODCAST - “Michelle Obama: Becoming, Parts 1 & 2” by Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations
While I have not yet read Michelle Obama’s Becoming, I have listened to this podcast! The former First Lady speaks on a variety of topics which are presented in her book, but one topic which ties in well with these other works is the discussion on how systemic oppression against black people affects black families and lifestyles. A notable part of the first part of the podcast is when Mrs. Obama speaks of her grandfather, Dandy, a man who was said to often have a bitter nature about him. She explains that her parents revealed to her that her grandfather was capable of doing so much more in this world, but due to the systemic oppression of black people, Dandy’s job opportunities were narrowed. The unfortunate truth that black people are denied higher work opporunities although having the skill and other enlightening concepts are explained through Michelle Obama’s radiant wisdom, intelligence, and humor.
BOOK - Citizen by Claudia Rankine
In a combination of poetry and prose, Rankine explores the topic of racism in Citizen through the following themes: intent verses impact regarding microaggressions, hypervisibility versus invisibility, violence against black bodies, dehumanization of black people by American society—notably black male youth, and more. These themes are explored through the repetition of questions, the use of metaphors, multimodality, and more. On the note of multimodality, the second artwork printed in Citizen, a photo of taxidermy art entitled Little Girl by Kate Clark, depicts the pain black people face due to racism in America which, as we know from Dunbar, is often suppressed. The dehumanization of black people is effectively depicted in the work and the taxidermy is placed “against a white background.” This phrase is referenced thorughout in Citizen which is part of a quote by Zora Neale Hurston, “I feel most colored when I am thrown against a sharp white background.” Rankine’s impactful work challenges readers to do deep thinking in terms of race equality, and the story’s open ending resonates with the very present truth there is still much work for America to tackle in order for black people to be treated like and feel like true citizens. I was able to attend an event at The University of Kansas in which Rankine read excerpts from her book, spoke on the book’s development, and answered questions from audience members, a truly inspiring moment of my college experience.
SONG - “Crazy, Classic, Life” by Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe’s entire album Dirty Computer—and accompanying “Emotion Picture”—encompasses several of the aforementioned racial issues artfully and musically, but “Crazy, Classic, Life” in particular takes a stand against these injustices in the beginning and end of the song. The track opens with spoken words which are taken from the “Declaration of Independence” in a, rightfully so, accusatory manner: “You told us we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights among these: life, liberty, and the—and the pursuit of happiness.” This is followed by Monáe’s voice singing, “Young, black, wild, and free,” a line which refuses to submit to the oppressive nature America exercises against black people daily. The middle of the song is the epitome of living a joyful lifestyle, one that we all could hope for, no matter how we identify. The youthful melody and lyrics make this song the perfect “#BlackGirlMagic” or “#BlackBoyJoy” anthem, but even though the body of the song is seemingly carefree, the verses still contain important messages like the unfortunate truth of police brutality and double standards in terms of incarceration. Monáe sings, “Police like a Rambo” and “Me and you was friends, but to them, we the opposite. The same mistake, I'm in jail, you on top of shit.” In addition to expressing the aforementioned topics—in a way that slaps, by the way—the entire album also impresses upon the listener the importance of intersectionality and the rights of all Americans, all people. A transcript of the spoken bridge in “Americans,” the closing track of the album, reads:
“Until women can get equal pay for equal work,
This is not my America.
Until same gender loving people can be who they are,
This is not my America.
Until black people can come home from a police stop
Without being shot in the head,
This is not my America.
Until poor whites can get a shot at being successful,
This is not my America.
…
Until Latinos and Latinas don't have to run from walls,
This is not my America.
But I tell you today that the devil is a liar—
Because it's gon' be my America before it's all over.”
Stay woke—for the rest of February and the rest of our lives.
-k.
