Not only is February still Black History Month, it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the social pressures at bear attempting to erase Black history. This erasure is both an attempt to whitewash history by pretending that colonial mass kidnapping and enslavement of Africans either did not happen or was not that bad, and a bid to deny the ongoing existence and horrendous impacts of deeply rooted institutionalized racism. To be clear, slavery really was unspeakably horrific, and racism is virulent in the United States today. Cancelling Black history month will not silence the voices of those who refuse to collude with this erasure.
One way for us to celebrate Black history is by supporting Afrocentric organizations that work to support the folks on the front lines of the battle for equity. If you support equity for BIPOC sex and gender minorities, please consider putting your money where your beliefs are but donating to one of these organizations.
The Black Trans Fund is an organization dedicated to uplifting, resourcing, and building the capacity of Black trans social justice leaders. BTF accomplishes this by granting individuals and organizations with the funds they need to serve Black transgender folx.
The National Black Justice Coalition’s ambitious mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma, a laudable goal they pursue by building coalitions, advocating for federal policy changes, and providing research and education dedicated to Black LGBTQ/SGL folx.
If you would like to make a more local impact, check out these organizations that the Black Aids Institute (BAI) identified as led by Black trans folx making a difference in their local communities. Not only do they support local activists, the BAI uses policy and advocacy work to challenge systematic oppression and support the long, healthy lives of Black people.
Please join us in sex positivity and coalition building to resist institutionalized racism, sexism, and homophobia! In these challenging times we must band together for support. Those of us with social advantages must use our privilege to support our disadvantaged brethren and oppose fascism and inequality.
Written by Elisabeth “Eli” Sheff, PhD, CSE (she/her). Eli is a Board Member with Center for Positive Sexuality, as well as an expert witness, researcher, educator, & relationship coach. CEO, Sheff Consulting