Black History Month may be coming to an end, but you don't need to stop learning about Black history. There are so many great resources to further your journey of discovery whether you are a novice learner or an expert.
Here are a few things to get you started:
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture has chosen to focus this year on Black health and
wellness. The director of the museum, Kevin Young writes, "This February, we celebrate the theme of Black health and wellness by creating a space that highlights Black pioneers' trailblazing contributions to Western medicine, addresses health disparities facing our communities, and encourages healing through education." Through the museum you can learn about the historic start of Black History Month, "The Historical Significance of Doulas and Midwives," interact with a healthcare timeline, or even try a new healthy recipe. - The library created a guide for Black History Month with lots of great resources including books and ebooks, all free through the library! We have also curated a collection of online and free collections of photos and art.
- Check out our "Censorship in the News" display. Though not solely focused on Black History, many of the recent challenged and banned books deal with the history of race in the United States.
Lastly, here is a small selection of new library books you can check out or read online:
Punch Me up to the Gods by
Call Number: available online
Publication Date: 2021
Cleverly framed around Gwendolyn Brooks's poem "We Real Cool," the iconic and loving ode to Black boyhood, Punch Me Up to the Gods is at once playful, poignant, and wholly original. Broome's writing brims with swagger and sensitivity, bringing an exquisite and fresh voice to ongoing cultural conversations about Blackness in America.
All That She Carried by
Call Number: available online
Publication Date: 2022
A renowned historian traces the life of a single object handed down through three generations of Black women to craft an extraordinary testament to people who are left out of the archives.
With Her Fist Raised by
Call Number: available online
Publication Date: 2021
The first biography of Dorothy Pitman Hughes, co-founder of Ms. Magazine and trailblazing Black feminist activist whose work made children, race, and welfare rights central to the women's movement. Historian Laura Lovett weaves together a biography of an activist who was intersectional to the core revealing a remarkable legacy that few have known until now and will appeal to readers interested in urban studies, activism, and Black women's history.
Policing Black Bodies by
Call Number: available online
Publication Date: 2021
In this provocative book, the authors connect the regulation of African American people in many settings into a powerful narrative. Completely updated throughout, the book now includes a new chapter on policing black athletes' bodies, and expanded coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement, policing trans bodies, and policing Black women's bodies.
We Do This 'Til We Free Us by
Call Number: available online
Publication Date: 2021
In this timely collection of essays and interviews, Mariame Kaba reflects on the deep work of abolition and transformative political struggle. With a foreword by Naomi Murakawa and chapters on seeking justice beyond the punishment system, transforming how we deal with harm and accountability, and finding hope in collective struggle for abolition, Kaba's work is deeply rooted in the relentless belief that we can fundamentally change the world. As Kaba writes, "Nothing that we do that is worthwhile is done alone."
America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960's by
Call Number: E185.615 .H524 2021 third floor, Main Campus
Publication Date: 2021
Presenting a new framework for understanding our nation's enduring strife, America on Fire is also a warning: rebellions will surely continue unless police are no longer called on to manage the consequences of dismal conditions beyond their control, and until an oppressive system is finally remade on the principles of justice and equality.
The Prophets by
Call Number: PS3610.O627677 P76 2021 New Books, second floor, Main Campus
Publication Date: 2021
A singular and stunning debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence... As tensions build and the weight of centuries--of ancestors and future generations to come--culminates in a climactic reckoning, The Prophets fearlessly reveals the pain and suffering of inheritance, but is also shot through with hope, beauty, and truth, portraying the enormous, heroic power of love.
Libertie by
Call Number: PS3607.R455 L53 2021 New Books, second floor, Main Campus
Publication Date: 2021
...An unforgettable story about one young Black girl's attempt to find a place where she can be fully, and only, herself... Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge's new and immersive novel will resonate with readers eager to understand our present through a deep, moving, and lyrical dive into our past.
Image Credit: Untitled (Bonding), Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert Galbraith, © 1987 Robert Galbraith
Over the weekend, Russia's president and dictator, Vladimir Putin, ordered an invasion of Ukraine. If you're not sure what the deal is, the Library is here to help with a run-down of the basics. Read on!
What is Ukraine....
Ukraine is a Slavic country of about 40 million people, which has for centuries been dominated and oppressed by its larger neighbor, Russia. Russian elites have tended to look upon Ukrainians as country bumpkins, and Ukraine's rich agricultural land and oil fields as rightfully their own. Ukrainians consider themselves a different nation, however, and have always tried to maintain independence. Ukrainian is a different nationality and language than Russian; they're cousins.
Ukraine was one of the Soviet Republics, and in the early 1930s, Stalin imposed a vicious terror-famine -- the Holodomor -- in which millions of Ukrainan peasants starved. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared independence and has endeavored to establish a democratic state. Like other former Soviet countries, the road to democracy has been a rocky one, but Ukraine has been doing pretty well. In 1994, Ukraine relinquished its nuclear weapons in a treaty, in which Russia promised never to invade or interfere. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed the Crimea, an important area that gives access to the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian flag shows the sky above and golden wheat below.
....and why should I care?
Besides the obvious tragedy of war and lost lives, this is an important cross-roads for all of Europe and the world. Putin is a dictator and former KGB officer, and his ambition is to rebuild the Soviet Empire under his own rule. Should he succeed in absorbing Ukraine, he will set his sights on other former Soviet countries -- such as the Baltic nations, which are members of NATO. The NATO agreement says that if a member nation is attacked, the others will come to its defense, so if Putin invades, say, Estonia, the United States and much of Europe will be drawn into a war. A Putin victory would also embolden China to seek to absorb its smaller neighbors. Freedom would decline and dictatorships would grow.
Ukrainians have been standing up amazingly to one of the world's strongest militaries. They have slowed down the Russian advances and are fighting valiantly for their independence. The US, Europe, and other countries have responded with assistance and support. It's impossible to know what will happen; Putin is almost alone in his endeavor, but he cares little and has hinted about using Russia's nuclear weapons. All of this could spark another world war.
OK, I care. Is there anything I can do to help?
Yes! You can donate to help send humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Here are a few reputable organizations. (Always check with Charity Navigator before donating to an unfamiliar organization!) Most of these work all over the world, and donations are always welcome.
You can also share good information on your social media, and make sure not to spread the Russian state's misinformation.
How can I learn about Ukrainian and Russian events?
Can I find Ukrainian or Russian literature, arts, or history?
We have plenty of information about all of these! Come into the library and explore. Here are a couple of ebooks to give you a taste: