Black history isn’t a footnote, it’s the whole damn story

I went down the rabbit hole in February.

I’ve always loved learning — reading, researching, having real conversations with people about their life experiences. When it comes to cultural history, I tend to go down the rabbit hole a lot.

In February, I took the time to educate myself on “Black history.” I learned about the the Wilmington massacre and coup in 1898; Esteban de Dorantes, the first African to explore the American South in 1527; Juan Garrido, a Black conquistador/the first free African to set foot in the America in 1502/1503; William Tucker, the first recorded African American born in the colonies in 1624; and so much more. (I really could start a podcast series and never run out of information to share).

Before Black bodies became commodities to be sold, bought, and exploited, we thrived, influenced, and contributed to global history.

The Portuguese started large-scale chattel slavery in the 1440s — the first time Africans were taken across the Atlantic for the sole purpose of permanent slavery.

The shift to a race-based system of slavery began with European colonizers in the 15th century, mostly in the Americas and the Caribbean. In 1452, the Catholic church granted Portugal and Spain the right to enslave non-Christians, which mainly targeted Africans and Indigenous people.

Although slavery was abolished, the racial caste system still exists today; and it became the foundation for racism, segregation, and systemic oppression that we witness and experience today.

Last night when I was talking to my mom on the phone she said, “They’re trying to erase us.” It actually hurt to hear that, and sadly, I agree. But, the silver lining is that after all these centuries — after all this time — we are still here.

The celebration of Blackness can never be limited to one month — especially the shortest month of the year. Black history is world history that can’t ever be erased. We are black for a lifetime and thereafter.

✊🏾Stephanie Olivieri Maldonado, Haus of Vibes, Founder & Publicist

I could go down the rabbit hole forever because there’s so much history that never makes it into the mainstream. If you like reading articles like this, I share more insights, stories, and cultural reflections in my newsletter → Click here to subscribe to the Haus of Vibes newsletter.