On this final day of Black History Month, I find myself compelled to sit in the soil and reflect. This year, instead of sharing a bunch of facts about our people, I want to highlight some of books in my personal library—39 titles dedicated to Black authors, Black history, Black belief systems, Black pre-enslavement culture, and the ongoing impact of racism against Black people. Interestingly, the only collection larger than this is my collection of Stephen King novels, which totals 44.
This journey toward embracing my full Black self has been decades in the making, and I’ve often revisited these texts with a renewed perspective on Blackness. I challenge everyone to take two important actions:
- Build Your Library: There may come a time when information about our history—truthful accounts of Black American experiences and the broader narrative of the global majority—becomes scarce. Curate your library now to preserve these vital narratives.
- Read: Move beyond social media snippets and curated narratives to seek the deeper truths found in books. A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that while 54% of Americans read at least one book, 82% read ten or fewer each year, and this trend is declining. Recently, a Harvard student confessed to a professor that he had never read an entire book.
I often reflect on the anonymous quote, “If you want to hide something from Black people, put it in a book.” This resonates as both a challenge and an insult, and I urge you to take it seriously.
To my white readers: If the only ships you can name are the Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria, and the Mayflower, yet you’re unaware of the vessels used in the transatlantic slave trade, then we cannot count you as allies in the fight for justice.
Finally, I encourage everyone to document your own history—both the story of your ancestors and your personal journey. Remember, you are the only person who has lived through all of your experiences. Stay tuned for my own history, BLACK, set to release in early 2026!
Keep posting. 💜💛