To realize the full impact of celebrating Black History we must not just acknowledge the past but also pledge to a better future. Black history is American history. The reason the Center was founded was to better understand the barriers to progress for marginalized people, specifically people of color. Working in this space, the Center knows too well systems still produce discriminatory practices leading to disparate outcomes. For if the least among us is hurt by racism and oppression, it hurts all of us. BTW- did you know that in 1865, Kentucky refused to ratify the 13th Amendment and didn’t do so until 1976?
Since its inception, Black History celebrations have always had a theme. The importance of yearly themes is to focus the attention on a particular aspect of Black culture and experience. The 2022 Black History Month’s theme is Black Health and Wellness. This focus will celebrate the contributions and breakthroughs of Black professionals as well as speaking to the cultural richness of those “non-traditional” health and wellness practitioners (e.g., doulas, midwives, etc.). This theme will be collectively celebrated by focusing on familiar “rituals” and practices that many in the Black community perform to improve wellness.
We at The Dakota Center know firsthand how valuable these ‘rituals’ are to improving healthy outcomes. So, this month take a look at these “non-traditional” health practitioners and what role they play by clicking here.
