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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

A guide to highlight the resources at NECC on diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice, race, diverse functionality, gender, multiculturalism, LGBTTQI+, and anti-oppression..

Educational Resources

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About African-American History & Culture

Poster Background clipart - Black, History, Text, transparent clip artBlack History Month (also referred to as African-American History Month) is an annual observance that originates in the United States. It is commemorated in February. It started as a weekly celebration in the 1920s until it was expanded as a monthly one in 1976 (Library of Congress, n.d.). The celebration serves to honor the accomplishments of the African-Americans and the African diaspora. Black History Month has served as a way to advocate for the rights of African-Americans and Black communities, and recognize the contributions, claims to justice, and the need to bring forth Black history.

 

Juneteenth Flag: Navy Blue stripe on the top, red stripe at the bottom. A 5 pointed white start ornaments the flag inside the white outline of a 12 pointed star. On the right it reads June 19, 1865.Juneteenth (also known as Emancipation Day, Liberation Day, or Jubilee Day), is celebrated annually on June 19. This holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865, when news of Lincoln's Emancipation of Proclamation (effective January 1st, 1863) reached the town. On this date, Union Major General Gordon Grander read a general order to the assembled people stating that all enslaved people (i.e., West and Central African diaspora) were now free (Lagasse & Columbia University, 2018).

Juneteenth is celebrated annually across all states with varying official recognitions. Activists, anti-racist, and civil rights groups have advocated making Juneteenth a national holiday. As of 2020, 48 states officially observe Juneteenth (Higgins, 2020).  In 2020, Gov. Baker of Massachusetts initiated the process to make "Juneteenth Independence Day" (Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, 2020). 

Find books, e-books and more by searching the NECC library catalog 

 

 

Library Resources on Juneteenth

The following NECC library databases contain information about Juneteenth, African-American History from the beginning of the transatlantic enslavement trade to the present. These databases are rich in articles, primary sources, and scholarly pieces.

The Long Shadow | Available at Kanopy

Description: "When two daughters of the South, Director Frances Causey and Producer Sally Holst, set out to find causes for the continuing racial divisions in the United States, they discovered that the politics of slavery didn't end after the Civil War.

In an astonishingly candid look at the history of anti-black racism in the United States, THE LONG SHADOW traces the blunt imposition of white privilege and its ultimate manifestation-slavery. Causey and Holst conclude that, without a doubt, artifacts of slavery remain at work in American society today.

Official Selection at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

"Causey deserves real credit for reckoning not only with America's legacy of slavery and prejudice, but also examining her own ancestors' specific roles in the racist treatment of African Americans." - Kimber Myers, The Los Angeles Times"

Freedom Summer | Available at Kanopy

Description: "In the hot and deadly summer of 1964, the nation could not turn away from Mississippi. Over 10 memorable weeks known as Freedom Summer, more than 700 student volunteers joined with organizers and local African Americans in a historic effort to shatter the foundations of white supremacy in one of the nation's most segregated states -- even in the face of intimidation, physical violence, and death."

Resources on Jim Crow's legacy

Resources on Black Lives Matter

P.S. I Can't Breathe | Available at Kanopy

Description: "This documentary welcomes dialogue around racial inequality, policing, and the Criminal Justice System by focusing on Eric Garners case. We hope viewers will increase their understanding of issues plaguing Black and Brown Communities by witnessing a massive group of protesters unite for the purpose of justice.

Eric Garners case centers at the struggle between new age policing that involves policy and laws that aggressively target Quality of Life offenses known as Broken Windows; selling Lucy cigarettes is considered one of these crimes, which Mr. Garner was known to do but contrary to belief he was not doing on the day he was killed, he was actually breaking up a fight prior to law enforcements arrival.

This film was shot in 2014. At the time it was completed we hoped that the 70,000 plus people who voiced their concern over the Eric Garners death would help to cease further causalities, unfortunately the opposite was true.

Since, law enforcement weaponry is more powerful than it has ever been. A steady increase in police killings has occurred from 2013-2015. In 2013 there were 771 killings, 2014 about 1100, and by 2015 the year concluded with 1201. An unacceptable portion of these citizens were unarmed.

As of August 2016, 734 people have been killed by U.S. police since January 1. It is going to take a new generation of thinkers to create a new system, one that is equal, loving, and for all people. Hopefully our film will help to spark great ideas and discussions surrounding the solutions and changes needed to achieve a new Criminal Justice System.

"A raw, uncensored glimpse into the Millions March NYC. Real interviews with the protesters show the depths of hurt and anger in the community, along with their hope for justice and suggestions for solutions to inspire the change many wish to see! P.S. I Can't Breathe encourages the observer to digest information regarding the #BlackLivesMatter hash-tag and understand the youth's perspective on the topic while taking a deeper look into aftermath or Post Script of hope lost and shattered dreams when justice is not equal for everyone." - Tambay A. Obenson, IndieWire"


To cite this LibGuide use the following templates:

APA: Northern Essex Community College Library. (Date updated). Title of page. Title of LibGuide. URL

MLA: Northern Essex Community College Library. "Title of Page." Title of LibGuide, Date updated, URL.