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February 12th, 2024
The late Marcus Garvey said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
February is Black History Month, a time to remember the triumphs, struggles, progress and so much more about the African American community.
Black History is American history that oftentimes goes overlooked. Like the quote above states, if we do not learn and recognize the errors of our past, we will never develop.
I am beyond thankful for the ancestors that came before me and sacrificed for the freedoms I have today. I love sharing my culture and always incorporate it my life. But during Black History Month, I like to make an extra effort.
There are a variety of ways to celebrate Black History Month. The celebration does not need to be over the top. It’s not necessary to march or make a long social media post about it. The celebration can be subtle. You can simply support a black business or listen to a black podcast.
How am I celebrating, you may ask? I’m carrying a handbag with a purple dinosaur with a crown above it. The handbag always sparks conversation — and that’s why I carry it. I always get the question, “Why do you have a dinosaur on your Coach bag?”
The answer is the bag is a collaboration between Coach and Jean Michel Basquiat. The purple dinosaur is art created by Basquiat, a Black artist who rose to fame in the 1980’s. His art started as street graffiti (sort of reminiscent to now popular artist Banksy).
Basquiat’s art focused on dichotomies such as wealth versus poverty. He used social commentary in his paintings identifying with his experiences in the black community. As we know art is subjective so the purple dinosaur wearing a crown can mean a variety of things. It could relate to power and authority.
The art is all in how you view it. Basquiat is a Black artist rarely talked about, but he was known to the likes of Andy Warhol (a native to Pittsburgh).
With that said, I hope you take a moment to reflect and share in the Black culture. Happy Black History Month!
