Getting MORE Political This Black History Month.

Greetings,

As we begin Black History Month, I want to pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of its origin. Negro History Week was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson on February 7, 1926, which eventually became the iconic celebration of Black History all month long, and even all year round. 

But as we witness the cruelty and weaponization of the justice system by the current Presidential administration, as well as their attempts to diminish the accomplishments of Black folks and other marginalized people, this month is more than a celebration – it is a time to become motivated!

The arrests of four Black journalists, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon last week for covering a protest in a church led by a pastor who also works for ICE, is more proof that our voices matter now more than ever. And that we must come together to educate, mobilize, and support each other.

It is important to know that as a 501c3 organization, Black Nonbelievers cannot endorse or oppose candidates running for political office. However, we CAN engage our officials who are currently elected, as well as address policies that affect our communities. As mandated by law, these actions cannot make up the majority of our work, but it does not prevent us from doing it altogether. Also, our very existence as nonreligious people – atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics – is in itself political. And our lives depend on speaking up and fighting back against the Christian Nationalism that threatens our rights and freedoms in our country. 

So as we continue to celebrate our 15th anniversary, we need you to support our work. We need your help to keep honoring Black History and our communities from the past, the present, and our future. It’s time to turn up the volume on our political voices and resist, while also maintaining the joy that we deserve.

Here’s to all of our hard work, more milestones, and building stronger communities together. 

Sincerely,

Mandisa L. Thomas
Founder and President
Black Nonbelievers
#BNchangeslives
Building. Back. Better.