Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month is well on its way, and you may have noticed we have yet to make a post about this topic. Last year we did a weekly series about important Black figures in chiropractic history. As a Black employee who is in charge of social media, I I had no interest in reposting those infographics. I’ve been thinking a lot about Black History Month and its relationship to businesses. As with most holidays, the message is often cheaply commercialized and used only to lure a new demographic.
How do we, as a business, celebrate an important month without participating in futile social media posts? Don’t get me wrong, Black History Month is an EXTREMELY important celebration to me. I believe Black history is something that needs to be recognized more honestly and more often. I believe students should learn about more than just Frederick Duglass, Eli Whitney, George Washington Carver, and Rosa Parks. I believe Black History Month should be a celebration of people, culture, and achievements that works towards the goal of increased representation of real Black experiences.
This morning on my way to work I heard a clip from The Amber Ruffin Show, a late night show hosted by a Black comedian. She talked about what she was celebrating this month and really helped me understand how I wanted to have the office celebrate this month. She reminded me that celebrating Black history includes celebrating the Black people in your life. It reminded me to celebrate my dad, as a black man and father. How he raised me to view the world with a wary, but caring perspective. To celebrate his parents for the time I had with them and how they taught me to work. To celebrate Mr. Davidson, a student teacher when I was in 1st grade, who was the first black teacher I ever had. Many people do not realize the importance of being able to see a person of authority and success that looks like you, it gives you the knowledge that you can get there someday. There are so many Black folks I’ve met throughout my life who have given me lessons, encouragement, validation, and joy, and those are the people I want us, as a business to celebrate.
So to all of our Black patients I want to say, on behalf of Dr. Super’s House of Health, Happy Black History Month. We get the privilege to experience just a small amount of your value, and we cherish it. We are celebrating who you are, the life that you live, and the lives that you touch. Thank you for being a part of our culture as a business, and our community. You are so important and we are so thankful that you have survived this crazy world to be able to share part of yourself with us. We wish you all the peace, healing, and praise that you deserve not just for the month, but for every day.