Black History Month 2023

This year, Black History Month feels especially important as we’re witnessing a conservative effort to eliminate it from schools in Florida.

Weeks ago, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threatened to ban AP African American Studies course from Florida schools, citing a Florida Department of Education letter that declared that the course “significantly lack[ed] educational value.” Lawmakers raised objections to lessons on intersectionality, Black feminist literary thought, the Movement for Black Lives, reparations, Black queer studies and Black struggle in the 21st century. In response, the College Board revised the curriculum for AP African American Studies by removing or cutting back on those subjects.

DeSantis is also targeting higher education, planning to defund diversity, equity and inclusion programs in every state university. Civil-rights groups and educational unions in Florida are mobilizing to push back, and it’s important for higher-education unions across the country to watch what happens. If Florida lawmakers are successful, then we’ll see more attacks on higher education and academic freedom at state and local level across the country.

If you’re interested in reading more about Black history, especially within the labor movement, here are some articles (and a podcast) I recommend:

Educating yourself about Black history is useful, and it doesn’t have to be a once-a-year thing — you can do it any time you want! But during February there are also some amazing opportunities to actively engage with Black history (and Black futures) here in Portland.

Community Events

  • All Month:

    • Black History Festival NW has returned to celebrate in person this year. The festival is hosting events all month long, with art installations, luncheons, workshops, a skate party, and more.

    • If you haven’t been to the Portland Art Museum in a while, the Color Line: Black Excellence on the World Stage exhibition continues through June. The exhibition features photographs and charts from W.E.B. Du Bois highlighting the lives of Black Americans in the 1900s.

    • The Cascade Festival of African Films is screening movies all month at PCC Cascade and Hollywood Theatre, with a hybrid option available for people to watch movies at home. The festival centers African experiences, rather than a vision of Africa packaged for Western viewers.

    • Word is Bond is continuing its In My Shoes Walking Tours throughout the Portland metro area.The tours highlight neighborhood history and the personal stories of young Black men in Portland, addressing topics of race, class, community investment, gentrification, community safety and equity.

  • Saturday, Feb. 11: Portland Parks Urban Forestry, in partnership with the Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, will be hosting the Albina Black History Month Tree Talk. Attendees will learn about Black environmental efforts in Albina and beyond.

  • Saturday, Feb. 11: The Black Community of Portland will be hosting its annual Black Love Day fundraiser, a catered dinner and comedy show featuring Black comics from Portland and around the Northwest. Local 328’s very own staff representative G Wade is the host!

  • Thursday, Feb. 16 – Sunday, Feb 19: You can catch the NW Black Comedy Festival at Curious Comedy Theater in Portland. Black comics from Oregon and across the country will be in town to make folks laugh.

  • Thursday, Feb. 16 – Saturday, Feb. 25: Presenting internationally recognized jazz masters alongside local musicians, the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

And if you’re looking for something delicious to eat — during Black History Month or anytime! — the Portland Mercury recently did a roundup of Black-owned restaurants in Portland.

TJ Acena1 Comment