Written by Seemab Hussaini
Black History Month is a time of reflection, education, and celebration, honoring the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. As a Brown person (whether from the South Asian, Middle Eastern, Latinx, or any other non-Black community of color) it is crucial to recognize that Black liberation has directly shaped the freedoms and rights many of us benefit from today. The struggles against white supremacy, colonialism, and systemic oppression are interconnected, and acknowledging the significance of Black History Month is not only an act of solidarity, but also a moral responsibility.
In the beginning, Black History Month started as the Negro History Week in 1926, founded by historian Carter G. Woodson. The goal was simple and familiar: To acknowledge the contributions of Black Americans to a nation that actively excludes their importance. Centuries of systemic exclusion and deliberate attempts to suppress Black achievements necessitated the need for the acknowledgement of Black History, so the week was later expanded to a month in 1976, officially recognized in the United States, and has since been observed in countries like Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands.
As Brown people living in societies shaped by anti-Blackness, it is important we engage with Black History Month not as outsiders, but as committed allies who recognize the depth of our shared struggles and responsibilities. Black liberation has opened many doors for people of color. From Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s, to the victories today of Black activists like the Movement for Black Lives, racial justice movements have positively impacted immigration policies, voting rights, and labor laws.
But Anti-Blackness exists in Brown communities through colorism, discriminatory caste systems and internalized biases, and Brown communities have perpetuated harmful narratives about Black people. From preferential treatment of lighter skin tones in South Asian and Latinx cultures to anti-Black rhetoric in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) households, these issues stem from deep-rooted colonial and white supremacist ideologies.
Recognizing Black History Month as a Brown ally means actively challenging these biases within our own families, communities, and cultural spaces. It means unlearning anti-Blackness and fostering conversations that promote Black solidarity rather than division, as solidarity is a revolutionary act.
Beyond Black History month, find a meaningful way to engage with your friends and/or family, educate yourselves and your community, support Black-led businesses and initiatives, show up for Black causes, and challenge anti-Blackness in our communities. Be reminded that Black History Month is there to help you commit to a lifelong movement of love and solidarity.
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