February 28, 2019
This February, the Arab-American Family Support Center was proud to recognize Black History Month and remember those who helped pave the way for all marginalized people. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clark once said “we must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of [Black Americans] have contributed to our nation’s greatness.” At AAFSC, we are committed to promoting the culture and history of the underrepresented.
There are over 42 million Black Americans in the United States which makes up about 14% of the population and the second largest race group in the United States. Black Americans are an integral part of the United States and are embedded in the fabric of our country. Through leadership, courage, and countless hardships, Black Americans worked and continue to work for their freedom and equity.
At AAFSC, we staunchly believe in racial equity. Diversity should not only be celebrated, but honored. That is why we encourage all our clients to embrace their cultural and linguistic differences and prepare them to share their identity in creative and meaningful ways. We know all of our clients are capable of achieving their goals, and work tirelessly to ensure that unjust barriers do not prevent them from doing so. During a time of increased marginalization, it is more important than ever to put an emphasis on educating our community about social justice and ensuring they are able to see leaders in themselves. We work each day to develop leadership skills and healthy relationship building through our culturally competent framework.
Historically, Black History Month was to a time celebrate culture and to encourage schools to provide accurate and holistic pictures of the black community. Many people around the United States take this time as an opportunity to teach Black history and culture. The works of major Black figures are often highlighted, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (pictured above), Harriet Tubman, and W.E.B Du Bois and other prominent historical leaders. However, Black History Month is also a crucial time to reflect on injustices happening across our country that affect the most marginalized among us.
Currently, immigrant families from Mexico and Central America are being separated at the border, Black and Latinx Americans are targeted and provided inadequate resources, and citizens from predominantly Muslim countries as well as Muslim-Americans are being discriminated against by executive policies and hateful rhetoric. It is through the accomplishments and efforts of Black Americans who have shaped our framework of liberation and social justice that we are able to push back against these current inequalities and fight for the justice of all.
AAFSC is an advocate for social justice and pledges to stand in solidarity with all marginalized groups. For more information about AAFSC and our social justice initiatives, please call us at 718-643-8000 or email us at info@aafscny.org.
