8 stories to celebrate Black History Month during a moment of reckoning

"History has its eyes on us." ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

"For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption we feared at its inception." — poet Amanda Gorman That's a topical message for what will undoubtedly be known as a historic year. A pandemic that has killed over 465,000 people — a disproportionate number of them Black Americans. A movement for racial justice that drove thousands to protest for months. A reckoning with history that has prompted the Pentagon to strip Confederate names from bases. It's no wonder the words of poet Amanda Gorman, referencing the musical "Hamilton," struck such a chord with her audience on Inauguration Day. Black History Month is a time we pay tribute to the heroes of U.S. history and recognize the vast contributions they've made to American culture. To showcase their stories, The Washington Post compiled a selection of some of the stories we've published in recent years that represent Black excellence and triumph. ― IN TRIBUTE TO THE LIVES LOST ― Perspective | Cicely Tyson embodied what it takes to be a great actor: Instinct and intention ― SLAVERY AND FREEDOM ― Teaching America's truth: How is slavery taught in America? ― MOVEMENT FOR RACIAL JUSTICE ― Traveling while Black: Why some Americans are afraid to explore their own country. ― POLITICS ― Raphael Warnock is an answer to the prayers of many Black Georgia voters ― ART AND ARTIFACTS ― Putting words into action: Youth poet laureates discuss the weight and honor of the title. ― BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY ― The 'whitewashing' of Tulsa's historic Black Wall Street ― SPORTS ― Wyomia Tyus sprinted to gold and demanded change. Then America forgot about her. ― FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS ― What black fathers are saying to their children about this historic moment ― NEWSLETTER ― Sign up for the About US newsletter to get more stories like these sent to your inbox twice per week. Your support makes important journalism like this possible. Get one year for $29 Cancel anytime.

ⓒ 2021 The Washington Post 1301 K St NW, Washington, DC 20071 You received this email because you are registered on washingtonpost.com or have signed up for a newsletter. Unsubscribe from promotional emails from The Washington Post.