Carter G. Woodson is a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History, who first came up with the idea of the celebration that became Black History Month. Woodson, the son of recently-freed Virginia slaves who went on to earn a Ph.D in history from Harvard, originally came up with the idea as Negro History Week to encourage black Americans to become more interested in their own history.
February is Black History Month, and certainly the past year has shined a spotlight on systemic racism in this country and the plight of Black Americans who fight discrimination in the workplace, at school, and throughout the criminal justice system. Yet with more awareness and education, the road to equality and an anti-racist society is gradually being paved. Many Black authors are addressing this issue in fiction, in memoirs, poetry, and other prose that recognizes the both the struggle and the accomplishments of African Americans and their tenacity and their will to transcend the past and fight for the end of oppression.
One inclusive new book that gives voice to the individual stories of 80 Black writers is “Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019.” Complied by leading scholars of African-American history Keisha N. Blain and Ibram X. Kendi, the book begins with the arrival of a Spanish ship filled with 20 captive Africans in 1619 and ends in 2019. The collective voices of the authors help to demystify racial assumptions, explain the rules of law and jurisprudence, and take a hard look at institutional racism in America. It also reveals the way that Black communities have come together to tell their stories and share them through words, protests, anger, and art and music, and performance. It’s a great place to start.
Isabel Wilkerson, author of the bestselling book “Caste: The Origins of our Discontents” and “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration,” has several recommendations for books to read this month that explain Black history in this country. Among them is “Black Reconstruction in America” by W.E.B. DuBois, which examines the hope for a multi-racial democracy after the Civil War and the missed opportunities of Reconstruction. “Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to Present” by medical ethicist Harriet A. Washington defines the history of medical abuse of Blacks in the U.S., not shying away from the suffering that was inflicted upon them through experimentation in the name of medical progress. Wilkerson also recommends “All Aunt Hagar’s Children: Stories” by novelist and short-story writer Edward P. Jones. This collection shares the everyday hopes and concerns of Back southerners who arrived in Washington, D.C. during the Great Migration to find their dreams much harder to realize than they had ever imagined.
Most of us may think that Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. represent contradictory ideas: self-defense versus nonviolence, Black power versus civil rights. Yet “The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Peniel E. Joseph turns these common misconceptions on their sides by revealing a portrait of these two remarkable men who, despite radically different backgrounds, supported and inspired each other throughout their adult lives. This dual biography tells the story of both and also of the era they came to define.
“Luster” is a buzzy debut novel by Raven Leilani and a New York Times bestseller, winner of the Kirkus Prize and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize which follows a 20-something Black woman, Edie, as she struggles to maintain balance at work and in love. When she meets a married white man, Eric and his adopted Black daughter, she becomes enmeshed with Eric’s family. It is a dark yet amusing and sometimes uncomfortable tale filled with honestly about everything from race to sex to age.
Another debut novel that explores intimacy between two young Black artists is “Open Water” by Caleb Azumah Nelson. This is a love story set in London that links themes of vulnerability, loss, and longing in a world where one is seen often only as a Black body. The book will be released in April.
Finally, another New York Times bestseller and one of Literary Journal’s Best Books of 2019 is “When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir” by Patrisse Kahn-Cullors. This powerful memoir follows Kahn-Cullors’ story as a Black American raised by a single mother in a poor neighborhood in LA and the prejudice and persecution that people like her endure at the hands of law enforcement and a criminal justice system that caters to white privilege. Her outrage and anger led her to co-found Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi.
Black Lives Matter and the goal of ending systemic racism in our country will continue to be top of mind well past February, but now is a good time to learn more about the history, the plight, and the incredible endurance of African Americans in America.
Julie Mitchell is a Calistoga resident and longtime book lover. She holds a BA in English/Creative Writing from Stanford University and an MFA in Writing from the University of San Francisco.
WATCH NOW: THE ORIGINS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE U.S.
SEE PHOTOS FROM BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS IN NAPA COUNTY
Calistoga peaceful protest

Peaceful demonstrators waved signs and chanted in support of Black Lives Matter on the Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Calistoga on June 20, as drivers honked in support.
Calistoga peaceful protest

Calistoga protesters marched from Pioneer Park to Lincoln Avenue June 20 in support of Black Lives Matter.
Calistoga peaceful protest

Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning addressed the crowd of BLM protesters in Pioneer Park on June 20, saying the community is fortunate to be "collectively supportive" of one another.
Calisoga peaceful protest

Peaceful protesters gathered at Calistoga's Pioneer Park June 20 and 21 to support Black Lives Matter.
Calistoga peaceful protest

On June 20-21, Calistogans participated in peaceful protests carrying signs and chanting from Pioneer Park to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge.
Calistoga peaceful protest

Supporting the national and international Black Lives Matter movement, peaceful protesters waved signs in downtown Calistoga June 20-21.
Calistoga peaceful protest

Police Chief Mitch Celaya told BLM protesters on Friday that the Calistoga Police Department has created a culture that is "very community-centered."
Calistoga peaceful protest

Friday's peaceful protest in Calistoga for the Black Lives Matter movement drew demonstrators of all ages.
Calistoga peaceful protest

About three dozen peaceful protesters gathered in Pioneer Park on Friday, calling attention to the national and global-wide Black Lives Matter movement.
Calistoga peaceful protest

Protesters waved signs in support of Black Lives matter June 20, as passing cars on Lincoln Avenue honked in support.
Lorie Johns, Diego Mariano

Lorie Johns and Diego Mariano take part in Monday's Black Lives Matter demonstration in Angwin.
Angwin demonstration

Dozens of Angwinites pose near Howell Mountain Road during Friday's demonstration in support of Black Lives Matter.
Juneteenth in Angwin

Demonstrators march down Howell Mountain Road in Angwin on Friday, which was Juneteenth. Leading the march is organizer Michael Andrianarijaona.
Lorie Johns

Lorie Johns of Angwin holds a "Black Lives Matter" sign during Friday's demonstration.
Milbert Mariano, Diego Mariano, Julie Lee, Luca Mariano

Angwin residents Milbert Mariano, Diego Mariano, Julie Lee and Luca Mariano participate in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Angwin in June.
Black Lives Matter demonstration, Angwin

A few dozen Angwinites on Monday carried signs decrying racism and supporting Black Lives Matter.
Angwin demonstration

Angwin residents march down Howell Mountain Road near College Avenue supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Napa protest against police violence

Some 100 people gathered at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park in the opening minutes of a protest against police brutality and racial discrimination, one of numerous such protests to take place nationwide since the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis was captured on video.
Napa protest against police violence

Gabriela Fernandez (foreground) leads demonstrators in chants of "No justice, no peace!" at Veterans Memorial Park during the third weekend of protests in Napa inspired by the death of George Floyd, a black man, during an arrest by Minneapolis police last month.
Napa protest against police violence

Veterans Memorial Park in Napa has become the local hub of protests against police brutality against people of color, including a demonstration Sunday afternoon.
Napa protest against police violence

Demonstrators chanting against racism and police violence Sunday, June 14 at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park raised arms during a chant of "Hands up, don't shoot!"
Protesters against racism take to Napa streets

Between 250 and 300 people took part in Sunday's protest march in downtown Napa against racism and police brutality. The procession included 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence at First and School streets, in remembrance of the death of George Floyd during an arrest by Minneapolis police May 25.
Napa protest against police brutality

Hundreds of demonstrators against racism and police violence formed a ring at First and School streets Sunday in downtown Napa, maintaining silence for nearly nine minutes in remembrance of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died during an arrest in Minneapolis May 25. The length of the silent period was inspired by the length of the video showing a police officer leaning a knee to Floyd's neck as he struggled to breathe.
Kids' march against racism in Napa

Some 200 people took part in a "kids' march" in downtown Napa for children and families protesting the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd. The walk preceded Napa's second scheduled all-comers march against police brutality, following an earlier demonstration May 31.
Vigil for racial equality in Napa

A spectator at Sunday's interfaith vigil for racial equality in Napa's Veterans Memorial Park held a sign marking the length of a widely shared video that showed the death of George Floyd as a Minneapolis police officer leaned a knee onto his neck during an arrest May 25. Local clergy members led some 60 people in 84.6 seconds of silence in Floyd's memory. The 84.6 seconds was in recognition of the length of a video showing an officer leaning a knee onto Floyd's neck as he struggled to breathe.
Kids' march against racism in Napa

Children and parents massed at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Napa on Sunday for a kids' march against racism and police violence. Organizers of the event, which included a walk through the Oxbow Commons, put together the observance in solidarity with similar family-oriented demonstrations held in San Francisco and Oakland.
Vigil for racial equality in Napa

The Rev. Robin Denney of St. Mary's Episcopal Church held a "Black Lives Matter" placard Sunday while speaking to about 60 people during an interfaith vigil supporting people of color and opposing racism. The vigil and walk was part of a second Sunday of observances following the death of George Floyd during an arrest by Minneapolis police May 25.
Marching through downtown St. Helena

After gathering at Jacob Meily Park and listening to several speaches, a group of mostly young people marched through downtown St. Helena on Tuesday night.
Marching through downtown St. Helena

A large group of mostly young people, all with masks, marched through downtown St. Helena on Tuesday night.
Marching through downtown St. Helena

A group of people gathered at Meily Park Tuesday evening and after listening to several speakers marched through downtown St. Helena to Lyman Park. Translated the sign says, "Your Struggle is My Struggle."
Marching through downtown St. Helena

On Tuesday night, a large group of mostly young people walked on the sidewalks from Jacob Meily Park to Lyman Park in downtown St. Helena. The sign is translated as "Your Struggle is My Struggle."
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa

Sunday's protest in downtown Napa against police brutality and racial bias began with hundreds of demonstrators massing in front of the county courthouse on Third Street before moving the rally a block north to Veterans Memorial Park. Later, marchers peacefully walked through the central city before disbanding at 11:30 p.m. at Veterans Park.
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa

Many of the placards carried by protesters at a downtown Napa demonstration Sunday displayed solidarity for Latinos with African Americans in the battle against racism and brutality by law enforcement. The rally follows a long line of protests that have taken place nationwide since George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died while being arrested by Minneapolis police May 25.
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa

A marcher at Sunday's demonstration against police brutality carried a sign with the words "I can't breathe" - echoing the plea of George Floyd captured on video minutes before the 46-year-old African American man died during an arrest by Minneapolis police on May 25.
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa

A demonstrator leads hundreds of other protesters in chants of "Black Lives Matter" and "No justice, no peace" at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Napa during a Sunday afternoon demonstration against racism and police brutality. The protest took place six days after George Floyd, an African-American man, died during an arrest by Minneapolis police after an officer leaned a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Julie Mitchell is a Calistoga resident and longtime book lover. She holds a BA in English/Creative Writing from Stanford University and an MFA in Writing from the University of San Francisco.
Julie Mitchell is a Calistoga resident and longtime book lover. She holds a BA in English/Creative Writing from Stanford University and an MFA in Writing from the University of San Francisco.