Black History Month is, at once, a celebration of the cultural identities of Black peoples around the world and a time of remembrance of the history of brutality millions of Africans and their descendants suffered because of the institution of chattel slavery and the trans-Atlantic trade of human beings. The consequences of centuries of such cruelty remain. Because of and despite it all, the culture, scholarship, and social leadership of the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora continue to influence present actions and dreams for the world’s future.
Schenectady Community Ministries joins in celebrating Black History Month and encourages the whole community to find meaningful ways to remember. May the lessons of history make us all and evermore resilience and hopeful community.