Black History Resources
"The best way to honor history is to let people tell their own."
-Baratunde Thurston
Teach
Learning for Justice Lessons:
Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System
Understanding the Prison Label
Listen
Podcasts:
Black History for White People
Music:
Playing for Change: Celebrating Black History Month Playlist
James Brown: Described as the greatest musician of the rock era, Brown built the foundation of funk for some of the greats like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder.
Nina Simone: Known as the "High Priestess of Soul," her music paved the way for artists like Lauryn Hill, Aretha Franklin, and Beyoncé.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe: "The Godmother of Rock 'n Roll" who inspired Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. Rock 'n Roll was invented by a black woman who played an electric guitar all the way back in the 1940's.
Ella Fitzgerald: Known as the "The First Lady of Song," she is one of the most popular female jazz singers in the U.S. She won 13 Grammy Awards during her career.
John Coltrane: Pioneer of jazz that mastered the circle the fifths, included in his impressive improvisation in his Giant Steps.
Read
Book Lists:
RHS Learning Commons Amplifying Black Voices Collection (These books are all available through the Learning Commons' Library Collection)
Boston Public Library Anti-Racist Reading List (sign up for a BPL ecard for free and download Overdrive and use your ecard to access eBook & audiobook versions)
Articles:
African American Inequality in the U.S. (Harvard Business School Background Note-Available Free for Educators)
Black History Month Isn't Racist, It's a Form of Reparations
It's Black History Month. Look in the Mirror.
'Black Season' at my White Middle School
How Should Schools Acknowledge Black History Month?
5 Ways to Avoid Whitewashing the Civil Rights Movement
Black LGBTQ History: Teachers Must do a Better Job
View
Documentaries/Educational Videos:
LiveStream of past events at the Schomberg Center
The Death and Life of Martha P. Johnson
Movies:
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Visual Art:
Photos from the Civil Rights Movement
Jordan Casteel "Within Reach" Exhibit at the New Museum, NYC
Jacob Lawrence "The American Struggle" Exhibit at the PEM in Salem, MA
"Chez Baldwin" Exhibit National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington D.C.