DAY 25: WE SHARE OUR DAYS

On Day 18, we shared that it was the anniversary of both Audre Lorde’s and Toni Morrison’s birthdays. We love when the stars align like that, but sometimes we share celebratory observances alongside mournful ones. One example is April 4th: It is both the anniversary of Maya Angelou’s birthday and also the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When Martin was murdered, Maya stopped celebrating her birthday for years afterward, and she always sent flowers to Martin's widow, Coretta Scott King, for more than 30 years until Coretta's death in 2006. This is the balance, the gravity that we are asked to hold throughout a journey that has precious ups and painful downs. Maya Angelou, of course, was no stranger to this concept of balance. In fact, it was she who said:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou

Today, we invite you to think of some of the ways in which you put the movement before your own interests, and also the ways in which you can celebrate the highs and thrive during the lows.

Sharing Space in Literature

Today we highlight a duo who made history in several ways, both individually and as a pair. Arna Bontemps and Langston Hughes were the first two writers of color to have original work for children issued by a major publishing house. In 1932, they co-wrote “Popo and Fifina: Children of Haiti.” It was the first mass-market children’s book, and more importantly, it showed positive depictions of Black characters. Learn more about the book and see its excerpts and illustrations over at We Too Were Children Mr. Barrie.

LEARN MORE

Photo of Arna Bontemps and Langston Hughes

Photo of Arna Bontemps (left) and Langston Hughes (right). Photo credit: Griffith Davis.

Cover of the book “Popo and Fifina” by Arna Bontemps and Langston Hughes

Game Week

It’s the final week of Black History Month 2023. Each day this week, we will share a game or activity. Today’s activity is a slide puzzle—click the image below to access it.

Click here to play the slide puzzle game

Pop Quiz!

A one-question trivia check to make sure you’re on your Black History A-game. How many will you get correct throughout the month? Click the button that reads “Today’s pop quiz” to see today’s question.

In honor of today’s theme of sharing space, today’s pop quiz question asks about one publication that allowed the Black community to share space safely for 30 years.

TODAY’S POP QUIZ

Coming up

Check out some of the events happening throughout Black History Month 2023.

TONIGHT 2/25 – Black Children’s Books

What: A virtual event to “discover the latest books centering Black children's stories and celebrate the impact of real representation at this opening of a virtual ‘museum’ devoted to Black literature.”

Logistics: This event is being held online on Saturday Feb 25th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Register here: Visit the Black Children’s Book Museum

TONIGHT 2/25 – The Black Experience

What: This free event will feature discussions and panels with local artists and speakers, and a keynote presentation by iconic activist and scholar Dr. Angela Davis. There will also be a performance by the Philadanco dance company.

Logistics: This free event is being held on Saturday Feb 25th at 5:00 p.m. at The Flynn, located at 153 Main Street in Burlington. Learn more here: The Black Experience 2023

TONIGHT & TOMORROW 2/25 & 2/26 – Montpelier Community Gospel Choir

What: A choral performance and a welcoming of the new Artistic Director, Verdis LeVar Robinson.

Logistics: This event is being held twice: [1] On Saturday Feb 25th at 7:00 p.m., and [2] On Sunday Feb 26th at 4:00 p.m. at Unitarian Church of Montpelier, located at 130 Main Street in Montpelier. Admission ranges from $10-40. Learn more here: Montpelier Community Gospel Choir

TOMORROW 2/26 – “BIPOC Soul Food Sunday” in the NEK

What: An affinity space open only to people of color to experience entertainment from Toussaint St. Negritude and a photo booth by I Am Vermont Too. Attendees are encouraged to bring any kind of dish to share.

Logistics: This event is being held on Sunday Feb 26th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at The Whirligig Brewing, located at 397 Railroad St. in St. Johnsbury.

TOMORROW 2/26 - Alexander Twilight Book Release Gathering

What: A presentation from Bill Tulp, a Vermont author and artist who has released a graphic story about Alexander Twilight.

Logistics: This free event is being held on Sunday Feb. 26th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Grammar School building of the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village, located at 1569 Hinman Settler Rd. in Orleans. Learn more here: A New Alexander Twilight Graphic Story

This Week’s Raffle

Each week, we will draw 5 names from the list of those who signed up for this e-mail series. We hope you win (yes, you!). The drawings are random; we use the True Random Number Service, which will pick 5 numbers each week from the sign-up list. You don’t need to do anything from here—we’ll e-mail you if you’re a lucky winner.

This is an installment in the State of Vermont’s 28-day Black History Month e-mail series, offered by the Vermont Human Rights Commission and the Vermont Office of Racial Equity. The Human Rights Commission protects people from unlawful discrimination in housing, state government employment, and public accommodations. Learn more about the HRC here. The Office of Racial Equity provides guidance and oversight to identify and mitigate systemic racism in state government. Learn more about the ORE here. Did you receive this e-mail from a friend? Want to sign yourself up for the remainder of the month? Subscribe to this list here.

Copyright (C) 2023 State of Vermont Office of Racial Equity. All rights reserved.

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