Black History Month
Black History Month marks an opportunity for us to engage with, and reflect upon, the history and essential contributions of Black people in the United States.
The beginning of February marks two events: Lunar New Year, and the first day of Black History Month. Last Tuesday, Drewʻs Mandarin students hosted the communityʻs celebration of Lunar New Year. Black History Month marks an opportunity for us to engage with, and reflect upon, the history and essential contributions of Black people in the United States.
The United States is currently in a reckoning that calls for us to consider and respond to the structural racism and history of slavery and cultural oppression that is as much a part of our national foundations as the countryʻs more celebrated elements. As part of creating a more just community, we must take responsibility to be aware of, reflect upon, and take action on the injustices that are embedded in our daily lives. As part of this, it is also important to celebrate the beauty of American culture, and in particular, the beauty of Blackness. Today, I invite you to explore the Museum of Black Joy, which celebrates the vibrancy, excellence, and depth of Black life and culture in the United States. Additionally, the Black Feminists Make History Every Day: Black History Month Reading List includes a wealth of resources that highlight achievements and contributions of Black women in literature, the arts, and social change. Check it out, and enjoy!
As part of Drewʻs internal reflection upon the legacies and influence of race, our faculty and staff will engage in this yearʻs third Courageous Conversation about Race on Mondayʻs Professional Development day. These meetings provide an opportunity to reflect upon and discuss the ways that race influences culture, curriculum, and lived experiences at Drew. In the afternoon, the faculty will delve into a focus on the curriculum, including on-going work around the integration of social justice themes into our courses. We look forward to welcoming our students back to class on February 8 after a day of reflection, thought, and Courageous Conversation.
Alain Sykes
Dean of Equity and Social Impact
Become part of the Drew Dynamic!
Drew knows and believes in teenagers. We engage each student in a process of intellectual discovery to develop an individual voice, the confidence to express it, and the empathy to understand its impact.
Social
Contact
© 2018 Drew School. All Rights Reserved.