February is upon us, and with it come halfhearted internship applications, daunting exam schedules and the quagmire that is Greek life recruitment. But outside the snobbish “bubble” of Adderall and tech startups that we call Homewood, February means education and celebration during Black History Month.
Hopkins undergrads, as we well know, have the privilege of spending four-ish Februaries in Baltimore, a city whose history in many ways embodies the struggles and achievements of black Americans. Now that white supremacists have taken hold of some of the nation’s highest offices, it is imperative that students actively resist the erasure of black oppression in America, both historically and today.
With its many local celebrations, cultural events and didactic installations, Baltimore is an ideal site for self-education and reflection this month.
Several area museums are hosting events and special exhibitions this month. On Feb. 11 The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is holding a Black Memorabilia Fine Art & Craft Show, which includes a panel discussion about Harriet Tubman and a talk entitled “Personal Reflections on Brother Malcolm X.” The museum, well worth a visit in its own right, is hosting several additional events throughout February. Also of note is a Feb. 4 lecture on Frederick Douglass and photography, given by John Stauffer, professor of English and African and African American Studies at Harvard University.
Currently on view at the B&O Railroad Museum are exhibits such as “Makers of the Railroad: African Americans on the B&O” and “A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture,” a traveling exhibit produced by the Smithsonian. On Feb. 5, the Walters Art Museum is holding a gallery talk entitled “Images of the African Diaspora in the Walters’ Collection.”
On Saturday afternoons, tours of the USS Constellation will highlight its role in hindering the Atlantic slave trade. On Feb. 18, local WoC collective BALTI GURLS is hosting a workshop on self-care at the Baltimore Museum of Art. This Friday, the National Aquarium is hosting a celebration, which will include music and performances in addition to interactive educational displays.
Creative Alliance is hosting a discussion titled “What Does It Mean to Be Black” and screening Awake Zion on February 16. If you haven’t already, now might be a good time to visit the Blacks in Wax Museum, which is, you guessed it, a wax museum devoted to African American history.
To reiterate, this is a small sampling of the many events and resources dedicated to uplifting Black voices and highlighting African American history in Baltimore. Furthermore, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has released a schedule of programming for Black History Month, including film screenings, panels, talks and less formal discussion. Get updates and more information by liking “Johns Hopkins University: Black History Month” on Facebook.
Finally, be sure to check out bmoreblack.com so that you can support local Black-owned businesses while you’re out and about this month.
