GoWomen: Where Is The Love?

The confluence of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month has me thinking about LOVE.

You may not get my connection between Black History Month and Love, but at its core, Black History Month is a celebration of Love for Black people, our struggles, and triumphs in the face of unrelenting bigotry and bias.

When Carter G. Woodson first created Negro History Week in February 1926, he wanted to ensure that school children would be exposed to Black history. He understood how important knowing one’s history was to the forming of a positive self-identity. He also wanted to use history to prove to white America that Blacks had played important roles in the creation of America and thereby deserve to be treated equally.

Today, there are growing divisions about teaching Black History. For the past few years, some elected officials have been politically attacking the teaching of race, discrimination, and so-called “controversial” topics in history in schools. According to Education Weekly,

44 out of 50 state legislatures in the U.S. have proposed anti-critical-race-theory laws, fundamentally limiting how teachers can discuss the realities of racism, sexism, and issues of systemic inequality in the classroom.

Black history is important and should be taught to all students, not just African-American students. There is more to African Americans than the negative stories and stereotypes seen on television, movies, and the news.

If all that children are ever taught about African Americans is what they see on television, in movies and on the news, they will have a skewed and negative view of African Americans, which will impact how they treat African Americans and how they view the treatment of African Americans. Simply put, the cycle of racism in America is doomed to continue. Black history is needed to give students both the correct facts about African Americans and to teach them to think properly about the contributions of African Americans both historically and currently. Building this awareness is the only way we can hope to build cultural appreciation and end racism and xenophobia. Students can learn compassion and attempt to show love to whomever they meet.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

I think the connection to Valentine’s Day is easy for everyone to follow. But I think it’s worth noting that the day originated as a Christian celebration honoring St. Valentine, who was martyred and murdered for his advocacy on behalf of persecuted Christians. Today, the day is centrally focused on romantic love. For this letter, I’d like to focus on the concept of Agape. Agape is defined as love for everyone and closely linked to charity and empathy. Agape is central to our work at CFW.

Our belief in the inherent worth of all women and girls, is based in love. Our belief in the right of individuals to make choices and have control over their minds, bodies and spirits has love at its core. What’s more, love is at the center of our envisioning of a world in which all women, girls, trans, and gender nonbinary people have the opportunity to thrive in safe, just and healthy communities.

In this way, our everyday is a love letter to the women, girls, trans, and nonbinary people who call Chicago home. We love you and we hope it shows in our work.

If you need a little love inspiration, take a listen to one of my favorite love songs

“These Three Words“. When was the last time you told someone “I Love You”?

While I have you, please join us for a CFW “Love Fest” as we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of some amazing leaders at our Impact Awards.

The Awards Ceremony is March 29^th at the Harold Washington Library Center. I hope to see you there.

Here’s to treasuring life, our family and learning to love others.

Sending love and light,