In reflection of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, I have felt the heaviness of the continual suffering and trauma subjected upon Black bodies in the past and the present more acutely. As a Black individual, my race is a core aspect of my identity, and when witnessing an onslaught of offensive rhetoric, violence, and hate in the current news landscape, it is difficult to hold the weight of how much work and change there is to be done to fully recognize the humanity of Black and Brown people. It is so easy to wither in the face of prejudiced systems and people, and yet, Black individuals have always found a way to build community and sing through sorrow.
Art forms such as storytelling, music, food, dance, visual arts, and aspects of beauty such as hair & makeup have been valuable means for expression, creativity and connection among Black individuals. The sharing of stories & music via oral traditions has supported the building and dispensing of culture and shared ancestry. Food & drink has been centered at group experiences filled with laughter and play, and hairstyling & clothing has honored African and African American beauty, royalty, and power. Overall, such art forms have been vital in uplifting the humanity of Black individuals throughout history, including during times of enslavement & protest, highlighting the richness and excellence in Black culture.
In a society that historically devalues the minds and bodies of Black people, joy is an act of resilience and resistance. Joy is a declaration that Black individuals can thrive, love, and persevere in spite of structures that oppress and increase barriers to access basic care. Just as everyone deserves safe housing, education, and clean water, it is a human right to experience joy to improve one’s overall quality of life. At large, creative artforms often make space for moments of joy, and in uplifting the vast musical contributions of Black artists specifically, Black individuals may have opportunities to experience cultural pride and feel affirmed, empowered, and better understood. Despite the harms of the world, Blackness is much more than our pain, it is our light as well. Black joy does not ignore the ongoing struggles for justice being conducted throughout the world, but it shows a determination and strength to not let the struggle consume our humanity. May we find joy, create it, and support avenues for such joy beyond the boundaries of Black History Month.
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Engage with Black voices and perspectives year round. Black history is American history and such perspectives are essential in better understanding our communities and world at large. Below are just a few resources.
- 28 Days of Black History – Expand your knowledge of Black history through daily articles. The theme for 2026 is “A Century of Black History Commemorations”
- Black Children’s Literature Recommended Reading List by the New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/schomburg/kids
- Black American Book Recommendations by the African American Literature Book Club https://aalbc.com/ [Notably, only 5-7% of published authors in the United States are Black]
- “Black Educators’ Thoughts on Black History Month” – An article by Brandi Waller-Pace, music educator, published on the website Decolonizing the Music Room.
- “What are You All Going to Do to Keep Black Women in Art Therapy?” – An article by individuals in the creative arts sphere, Leah Gipson, Marisol Norris, Leah Amaral, Johanna Tesfaye, and Anna Hiscox, published in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy
- “A Call for Radical Imagining: Exploring Anti-Blackness in the Music Therapy Profession” – An article by music therapist Marisol Norris, published in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy
- Black Music Therapy Network, Inc – https://www.blackmtnetwork.org/
- Listen to the vast musical contributions of Black artists such as Nina Simone, Florence Price, Otis Redding, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Solange, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, HER, Jon Batiste, and Tracy Chapman
Finally, read these poems by Lucille Clifton & Maya Angelou highlighting Black joy and resilience.
