Here's the story behind Black History Month and why it is in February . . .
Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country's history.
This year's theme, Black Health & Wellness, pays homage to medical scholars and health care providers. The theme is especially timely as we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected minority communities and place unique burdens on Black health care professionals.
"There is no American history without African American history," said Sara Clarke Kaplan, executive director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University in Washington, D.C. The Black experience, she said, is embedded in "everything we think of as 'American history.' "
To get to the end of the story, please go to NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/01/1075623826/why-is-february-black-history-month
And if you love to read, here is a list of fiction and non-fiction books on Anti-Racism compiled by the Library Staff at West Valley College.
| Fiction | Non-Fiction |
| Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Annie John, Jamaica Kincaid Noble Beloved, Toni Morrison The Color Purple, Alice Walker Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, Z. Z. Packer Erasure, Percival Everett The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas |
Affirmative Acts: Political Essays, June Jordon Algorithms of Oppression, Safiya Umojak The Autobiography of Malcom X Blackballed: The Black & White Politics, L. Ross Black or Right: Anti/Racist Campus, L. Maraj Caste: Origins of Our Discontent, I. Wilkerson |
To get to the end of the list, go to https://libguides.westvalley.edu/c.php?g=1111597&p=8104566
