| On Jan. 31, the White House released a statement: "Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America." I looked up the statement after reading Cole Arthur Riley's powerful column celebrating, well, the end of Black History Month. And sure enough, it seemed to back up her argument, with its emphasis on essential stories. "What is intended to be a time of remembrance and storytelling becomes a month of additional labor — usually with very little notice — for Black people," she writes. "It becomes a season when we must sell our stories and ideas to sate the appetites of White folk who want to feel as though they've done the right thing." For Riley, it's about Whiteness setting the expectations. Far from celebratory, Black History Month feels like yet another impossible imposition. She found the perfect alternative in the liberating traditions that see doing less and slowing down as restorative acts of resistance. "I'm too tired to be a historian in this season," she concludes.  (iStock) Each February, Black people are expected to shape-shift into historians, often for the edification of White people. It's exhausting. By Cole Arthur Riley ● Read more » | | | | This State of the Union address set out to rebuild the coalition that sent him to the White House. By E.J. Dionne Jr. ● Read more » | | | | Like Clinton and Obama before him, Biden is seeking safer ground in the center. By Ruth Marcus ● Read more » | | | | In his address, Biden spoke for only a few minutes about the cost of health care, but it's something most Americans care deeply about. By Helaine Olen ● Read more » | | | With the right tools, pre-pandemic normalcy is possible — and safe. By Leana S. Wen ● Read more » | | | | Ketanji Brown Jackson is supported by dark money — just like everybody else. By Dana Milbank ● Read more » | | | | It was a good night for progressives and the GOP establishment. By Henry Olsen ● Read more » | | | | Globalization may enable noncombatant nations to coordinate the inflicting of economic pain severe enough to force even a barely developed nation to buckle. By George F. Will ● Read more » | | | Chernobyl survivor and Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy says the danger of a nuclear accident might be greater than we think. By Meghan Kruger ● Read more » | | | | It might feel good to root for a side, but war isn't a kickball match. By Christine Emba ● Read more » | | | | No one should be deported back to a war zone. By Karen Attiah ● Read more » | | | | Ukrainian Americans are providing a vital counterweight. By James Hohmann ● Read more » | | | | Read the transcript. By Josh Rogin and Max Boot ● Read more » | | | | Yes, we've been around this track before. But there's no time like the present to do something important. By Paul Waldman and Greg Sargent ● Read more » | | | | The "pro-family" party wants to investigate and maybe even prosecute families that give their trans kids love and support. By Paul Waldman ● Read more » | | | | The voters who decisively rejected late-term abortion in the last election deserve to have their voices heard again and again. By Marjorie Dannenfelser ● Read more » | | | |
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