Black History Month

Transformative voices at Sampsonia Way

Carter G. Woodson, founder of what became Black History Month in 1976, wrote: “[Racial prejudice] is merely the logical result of tradition; the inevitable outcome of thorough instruction to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind.”

Carter G. Woodson spent most of his life collecting writings and artifacts to raise awareness about the impact African Americans have had on history. Likewise, in commemoration of Black History Month, Sampsonia Way recognizes the African-American authors who have contributed their transformative words to our pages.

Here are just a few…

“All the Way Live” a poem by Terrance Hayes.

Poet Claudia Rankine on Wounds We Shouldn’t Forget

“We Are Not Post-Racial” an interview with Toi Derricotte

“Make the Ordinary Extraordinary” an interview with Colleen J. McElroy

Sapphire on Precious’ Emancipation

Yusef Komunyakaa on Racism as a Mental Illness