Winding down Black History Month: America needs everyone's help

Jarvis Harris, left, and Joe Foss on one of the many Amtrak coaches that carried them across America.

Courtesy of Joe & Jarvis.

Black History Month

Sharing thoughts on racism in America from both Black and white perspectives

Jarvis Harris and Joe Foss are telling local audiences about their five-week, 4,600-mile tour of Black historical sites across the United States last fall.

If you would like to schedule a public presentation, have questions about their USA Rail Tour or have a private  message for them, please go to their website, AcceptingOthers.com, and use the “Contact Us” button.

Joe: As February ends, so does this year’s Black History Month. But the work of recognizing and understanding Black history — and the vital, often untaught parts of America’s story — must continue.

With a new administration in Washington, D.C., we are entering a more challenging period for racial justice.

However, let’s be clear: national policies do not dictate our entire reality. State and local governments still offer opportunities for progress, and we all have a voice in shaping them.

For decades, America’s demographics have been shifting. In 1970, white Americans made up 87% of the population. By 2020, that number had fallen to 71%, and by 2045, the U.S. is projected to be a majority-minority nation.

Yet, rather than embracing this inevitable change, many political leaders and citizens resist it —fearing the richness of a more diverse America instead of seeing it as a strength.

My 12-plus years of studying racism and listening firsthand to Black experiences have reinforced a simple truth: America’s greatest strength is its diversity.

The real question is whether we will embrace this reality and become the thriving, inclusive democracy we are meant to be — or cling to a past that no longer exists. Longing for a bygone era is a distraction. Building a just and equitable future is the real challenge — and opportunity — before us.

Jarvis: It’s the end of February. I almost hate saying that.

Why? I’m glad you asked. For some people, it means it's the end of talking about Black history for another year. Yep, some people are only aware of this part of our American history because we had to get a month to celebrate Blacks’ achievements.

Could you imagine only celebrating America for a month? We pretty much celebrate and talk about American history all year long. Of course, if you happen to be Black, you recognize who you are all year.

Think about this, there are people who have automobiles and they are looking to get a better one. There are people who are financially well off and they operate to keep it that way and get more finances. There are people who get jobs and do things to get better, higher paying employment.

At the same time, there are people who have none of these things and they just want the basics. That's sort of what racism is.

It’s not just that you are denied certain things that others have access to, it is that some of those same people and the country that we live in constantly try to make it difficult for us to achieve them.

Include in that a justice system that’s geared against you or schools that are underfunded, finance institutions that are geared to deny you a basic loan or at a higher percentage rate.

And if you are paying attention, since the 1960s, while our society has made much progress leveling the field a little for everyone, recently, government officials at the national level are taking much of it back.

And this isn’t the first time: When Blacks first gained social and economic progress after the Civil War, they were told of changes and progress to come, but that check “bounced,” and we got more empty promises.

Once again, we had to fight to get what everyone else was getting. In some cases, Black communities that had succeeded and formed flourishing organizations and neighborhoods lost everything because of racists who could not stand the fact that we were gaining some ground despite their attitudes.

It’s happening today as well. There are people and systems currently being shut down that were put in place to make us a better society as a whole. 

Joe: Let’s not kid ourselves; racism in our country and our communities continues to be a reality. Let's all try to become more aware of those realities and speak out against them. White citizens, in particular, can use our privilege to push back against these ongoing harmful practices that only limit America’s potential.

As a person who mostly looks at things from a glass half-full perspective, I believe that we Americans can adjust to embracing being a more diverse nation, and I am hopeful that we will. Our success as a nation depends on it.  Much work remains before us, so let's get to it.

Jarvis and I will be scheduling live presentations for churches, schools or other groups that might like to hear more in person about our Black History USA Rail Tour.

We will begin scheduling in early April. If you want to schedule with us, please go to AcceptingOthers.com and use the “Contact Us” button. We would love to hear from you. 

Jarvis Harris, of Lacey, is a retired U.S. Army veteran and former Pierce County corrections officer who now dedicates his time to personal passions and volunteering. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he settled in Lacey during his Army service.

Joe Foss, of Tacoma, is a Navy veteran and retired business owner who has been actively engaged in projects addressing racism in America since 2012.