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HomeMy WebLinkAbout23-008 RESOLUTION NO. 23-008 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023 AS "NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK HISTORY MONTH" CELEBRATING BLACK RESISTANCE IN ST.LUCIE COUNTY,FLORIDA WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following determinations: 1. Black History Month, or National African American History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S.history. 2. Each year, in February, an entire month of events are planned nationwide honoring the history and contributions of African Americans. The theme for Black History Month in 2023 is "Black Resistance". African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. Black people have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives, and for autonomy of their physical and intellectual bodies through armed resistance, voluntary emigration, nonviolence, education, literature, sports, media, and legislation/politics. 3. Black faith institutions were spaces where Black communities met to organize resistance efforts, inspired folk to participate in the movements, and offered sanctuary during times of crisis. To promote awareness of the myriad of issues and activities media outlets were developed including radio shows, podcasts, newspapers (i.e. Chicago Defender, Chicago Bee, the Afro, The California Eagle, Omaha Star, the Crisis, etc.). These outlets were pivotal in sharing the successes and challenges of resistance movements. By resisting, Black people have achieved triumphs, successes, and progress as seen in the end of chattel slavery, dismantling of Jim and Jane Crow segregation in the South, increased political representation at all levels of government, desegregation of educational institutions, the passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in DC and increased and diverse representation of Black experiences in media. Black resistance strategies have served as a model for every other social movement in the country, thus, the legacy and importance of these actions cannot be understated. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida that this Board does hereby proclaim February 2023 as "NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK HISTORY MONTH" in St. Lucie County, Florida and encourages all citizens to participate in all activities planned to celebrate National African American/Black History Month. PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 7th day of February 2023. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST LUCIE COUNTY, ORIDA . 2/I. .. • DEPUTY CLERK CH IR i APPROVED CORRECTNESS: . :- COUNTY ATT, RN