Black History Month

written by Kathy Huffstetler

February is Black History Month, and I imagine most of us would like to see this interest in black history extend throughout the year. The longer I live the more I realize there is so much I do not know that has taken place right under my nose. I think it would be fair to say that much black history hasn’t made our history books, but I think some of this can be rectified as our communities endeavor to right wrongs, begin digging into our past and unearthing new information, and providing more accuracy to what has been the narrative. Outlined below are two projects that are currently engaged in the fight to fill in our history.

March Mission Madness

We Choose Welcome

This past Saturday 30-40 of us gathered together in a still unfurnished living room in the Crosstowne neighborhood of southeast Raleigh. Some of us were Presbyterian, some Methodist, others Catholic, Baptist, or non-denominational, some Muslim. Some of us were native North Carolinians and spoke fluent Southern. Others were from Morocco and struggled with English. We were all there because we believe, in Katherine's words, that "building the beloved community is not a metaphor. It takes shape in neighborhoods and communities and around kitchen tables."