February is Black History Month, a time when we honor and celebrate the rich culture, contributions, and triumphs of Black/African American people across the world. It is also a time when we are invited to remember the importance of equity and the power we each hold to build a better world.
How did we come to be here? This is a question that many of us may wonder, especially in times of difficulty and doubt. The answer is not simple or clear, but it is important to explore and share.
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Our stories have power
! They can motivate us, inform us, challenge us, and connect us.
Our stories have power
because they are part of a bigger narrative that covers centuries and continents. They are the stories of our ancestors, who faced unimaginable hardships and fought for their freedom and dignity. They are the stories of our leaders, who campaigned for our rights and justice. They are the stories of our innovators, who invented and contributed to various fields of knowledge and culture.
They are the stories of our everyday heroes, who make a difference in their communities and families.
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| "Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience"
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Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) by Bisa Butler is on display within National Museum of African American History
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Our stories have power
because they are also part of our present and future. They are the stories of our struggles, which reveal the systemic racism and inequality that still exist in our society. They are the stories of our resilience, which show how we overcome barriers and challenges. They are the stories of our diversity, which reflect the richness and complexity of our identities and experiences. They are the stories of our dreams, which express our hopes and aspirations for ourselves and others.
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Our stories have power because they are ours! They are unique and personal, but they also resonate with others who share similar backgrounds or journeys. They are not always easy or comfortable to tell, but they are necessary and valuable. They are not always heard or acknowledged, but they deserve to be.
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This Black History Month, let us celebrate and honor our stories. Let us tell them with pride and confidence. Let us listen to them with respect and empathy. Let us learn from them with curiosity and openness. Let us remember that our stories have power, and so do we.
As Maya Angelou once said, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
Let us not keep our stories inside, but share them with the world.
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Funding for this initiative was made possible by grant no. 1H79TI083022 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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