Winter/Spring 2018


The HBCU Advocate 13


How You Can Celebrate Black History All Year Your Opinion Matters


HELP SOMEONE MAKE BLACK HISTORY.


In Georgia,


state legislator Stacey Abrams, is running for Governor. She can win, too, if she can get the voter turnout and financial support that she needs. If you live in Georgia, you can help this woman become the first African American to be Governor of a southern state. You can learn more about her and get involved in her campaign by checking her out at www.staceyabrams.com. this sister make history!


Help BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX Every year, the Association


for the Study of African American Life and History selects a theme for Black History Month. This year, the theme, African Americans in Times of War, is meant to commemorate the end of World War I, the war that supposedly made the world “safe for democracy”.


It is a war that African


Americans fought for the right to fight in, a war that saw African Americans go abroad to fight for democracy, only to come home and be oppressed by segregation. Undoubtedly,


there will be many


programs designed to lift up this theme,


which ASALH sees as


an opportunity to reflect on the African American role in all wars, including the contemporary “war on terrorism”.


Black History Month?


What will you do to celebrate Many will


participate in programs at their schools or churches. Some will gather for lunches and dinners and reflect on African American history. However, I wonder how many will simply let the month of February slide without doing anything to commemorate this month.


Carter


G. Woodson, the founder of ASALH and Black History Month (originally Negro History Week), would be spinning in his grave, if he knew how few of us celebrate this month. (Of course, Black history is also American history, and we ought to celebrate Black history every month of the year!)


Dr. Eugene Williams,


Sr. (a retired educator in the DC area) reached out to professional basketball


teams to ask them


to feature Lift Every Voice and Sing, the Negro National Anthem


that was penned by


James Weldon Johnson sung at games in the month of February. He has commitments


from


the Washington Wizards, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors and George Washington University. Other teams, including the LA Lakers and the


considering the effort as well. Dr. Williams


Atlanta Hawks, are isn’t representing


an


organization – he just had a great idea, and started calling NBA team offices with his request.


What will you do to celebrate Black History Month? Will you mount an effort like Dr. Williams? His independent effort will have an impact and ensure that NBA games


commemorate Black


history. What can you do? Here are a few ideas:


JOIN ASALH (www.asalh. org).


Memberships range from $45 for students to $100 (or more for life memberships).


What


better way to celebrate Black History Month than by supporting the organization founded by the man who made our celebration possible?


Register at form.jotform.com/73173768062158 REGISTER TO VOTE! The


struggle for the right to vote is an integral part of our Black history. Rev. Jesse Jackson once said, “The hands that picked peaches can now pick Presidents”. There are lots of important races in 2018, and you honor Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and so many others with your vote.


HISTORY A FAMILY GAME. An organization Intellectuals


has developed


MAKE LEARNING BLACK called


Urban two


volumes of flashcards that explore aspects of Black History. You can check them out on Facebook, www. facebook.com/urban


order their cards, and learn more of our history.


GIVE A CHILD A GIFT OF


A BLACK HISTORY BOOK. One of my favorites, Preaching to


the Chickens: The Story of


Young John Lewis, by Jabari Asim, celebrates a contemporary hero, Congressman John Lewis. Another, Minty:


The Story of a


Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder, tells the story of the Maryland icon who helped dozens of enslaved people escape through


Free Filing FROM PAGE 1


includes people with disabilities and people who speak limited English.


Here are some additional details about these two volunteer programs:


Free Country. Tax Prep Around the The IRS works with


community organizations to offer free tax help at thousands of sites nationwide. These sites usually begin opening in late January and early February.


Free Electronic Filing. VITA and


TCE provide free electronic filing. E-file is the safest, most accurate way to file a tax return. Taxpayers can combine e-file with direct deposit for quicker refunds.


Volunteer Preparers Trained


to Help Find Tax Benefits. The IRS certifies the VITA and TCE volunteers. They help people get


all the American Opportunity Tax tax


benefits for which they are eligible. These include the Earned Income Tax Credit,


Credit, the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for the Elderly.


Bilingual Help. Some VITA and TCE sites provide bilingual assistance.


Help for Military. Many military


bases have VITA sites. These sites offer free tax assistance to members of the military and their families. Volunteers can help with military tax topics. Some of these include special rules and tax benefits that apply to those serving in combat zones.


Self-Preparation Option. At many


VITA sites, people who earn $64,000 or less may be able to prepare their own tax returns. They can do this using free web-based software. This option is for those who do not have a home computer or do not need much help.


Site Information Available on


IRS.gov. Taxpayers can find the nearest VITA site by using the VITA Locator Tool at IRS.gov. They can also do so by downloading the IRS2Go app. Site information is also available by calling the IRS at 800-906-9887. Find more on AARP Tax-Aide locations by using the AARP Locator.


intellectuals,


the Underground Railroad (legend says it is hundreds, but at Harriet Tubman Museum (operated by the National Park Service in Church Creek,


Maryland) researchers


say some of the estimates are too high. The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson will motivate young people to activism.


Sit In:


How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney will also motivate young people to take on activist roles.


There are so many other things you might do to celebrate Black History Month.


American survival Encourage your


friends, regardless of race, to learn more about the amazing story of African


and


resilience despite the racism that defines this country. May your Black History Month be exciting


and enlightening! Julianne Malveaux is an author


and economist. Her latest book “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy” is available via www.amazon.com


for booking,


wholesale inquiries or for more info com


visitwww.juliannemalveaux.


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