#blkgrlmgclwyr – blog

Black History Month is not just a celebration of our ancestors’ achievements—it is a reflection on how far we’ve come, and more importantly, how much further we must go. As we honor the legacies of our foremothers and forefathers, we also reckon with the harsh reality of political hostility that targets our progress. Amid the current climate of anti-Black and anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) rhetoric, it is essential to understand Black History Month not just as a moment of celebration, but as a strategic moment of resistance, reflection, and mobilization.

In light of the resurgent whitelash—the reactionary pushback against Black advancement and civil rights—it’s easy to feel disillusioned. The forces of oppression have always been skilled at adapting to progress, evolving new forms of resistance against Black self-determination. But this time, it’s different. The backlash isn’t just on the streets. It’s institutionalized. It’s legal. It’s corporate.

Take, for example, Target’s recent retreat from DEI initiatives. Once a strong supporter of diverse communities, including Black Americans, Target’s decision to scale back its commitment to DEI sends a chilling message: The Black community’s fight for inclusion and equal treatment is not only unimportant, but expendable. It’s a corporate betrayal of the very principles that once made companies like Target symbols of progress. And this is just the beginning. As we’ve seen, other major corporations and political entities have followed suit, retreating from the work of equity when it’s most needed.

What does this mean for Black Americans today? How can we continue to celebrate our history when our future feels increasingly under siege? The answer is twofold: First, by recognizing the significance of Black history as a constant fight against forces that seek to erase or diminish our place in this nation. And second, by learning from the resilience of our forebears, who fought not just for the rights they could see but for the future they knew would come—if we kept pushing, if we kept organizing, if we kept mobilizing.

Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement

In times of political hostility and racial regression, Black History Month reminds us of the unbreakable spirit of our ancestors. From the Civil Rights Movement to the Black Power Movement, from abolition to the Harlem Renaissance, each chapter of Black history is a story of defiance in the face of state-sanctioned violence, economic disenfranchisement, and social exclusion. The people who paved the way before us didn’t just sit back and let things happen. They took action. They organized. They fought. And they made change.

One of the most important lessons from the civil rights movement is that Black Americans are the architects of our own liberation. Yes, we need allies. Yes, we need systems of support. But we can never forget that it was our collective will—our refusal to accept the status quo—that gave rise to the changes we’ve seen. Black lawyers, like myself, play an especially vital role in ensuring that justice isn’t just an ideal but a reality. The law has always been both a tool of oppression and a weapon for freedom. It’s up to us to wield it wisely.

Whitelash: A Constant Threat, But Not Unbeatable

The rise of whitelash in the wake of Obama’s presidency, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the visible success of Black Americans in various sectors isn’t accidental. It is the result of centuries of Black progress that some in America are now actively trying to roll back. We’re witnessing the criminalization of Blackness in ways that seem designed to erase the progress we’ve made and the hope we’ve built. This is the heart of whitelash.

The overtly political attack on DEI, the erasure of Black history from school curricula, and the institutional decision to undermine racial justice efforts are all strategic maneuvers aimed at maintaining white dominance. But let’s be clear: the fight is not over. It never was. History teaches us that every time we’ve been knocked back, we’ve come back stronger.

The Role of Black Lawyers and Activists

As a Black lawyer, I recognize the extraordinary power we have in these times. Lawyers—Black lawyers—are uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of this fight. Whether we are defending the rights of marginalized people in court, drafting legislation, or simply using our platforms to challenge inequities, our voices matter. But let’s be clear: the struggle won’t be won through legal means alone. We must use every tool at our disposal—political, economic, social, and cultural—to create the change we want to see.

And this brings us back to the call to action: We must mobilize. We cannot afford to wait for our corporate-sponsored government to change. We have to create our own solutions, just as our forefathers did. We must support Black-owned businesses, build our own institutions, and most importantly, vote and make our voices heard.

The Future Is BLACK

I know we’re tired. Fighting white supremacy is exhausting. Still, we must reclaim our narratives and stand firmly in the truth of our Blackness, no matter how uncomfortable that makes the powers that be. The same fight our ancestors waged against segregation, voter suppression, and inequality is the fight we face today in different forms.

As we honor the heroes of our past, let’s make sure we don’t fall into complacency or nostalgia. The struggle for justice, equity, and liberation continues, and it is up to us to carry the torch forward. We are the heirs of their dreams, and it’s time we make those dreams a reality.

So, to my fellow Black Americans, especially those of us in law, activism, and leadership: Let us be inspired by the resilience of our ancestors. Let us be motivated by the promise of a better future, one that we will create. The fight for Black liberation is as urgent now as it has ever been. And the path forward is not just through our history—but through our collective action.

#blkgrlmgclwyr #BlackHistoryMonth

Author’s Bio

Latrice Burks-Palmerio, also known by her powerful online presence as #blkgrlmgclwyr, is an expert in American politics with a deep focus on the intersection of American fascism and the decline of empire. Latrice’s academic journey began with an International Baccalaureate class on totalitarian regimes, which laid the foundation for her nuanced understanding of authoritarianism. She graduated with honors in Political Science from the College of Wooster, where her thesis examined the dynamics of Black social movements in the U.S. Further refining her expertise, Latrice earned her law degree from USC Gould School of Law, gaining invaluable insights into U.S. Constitutional law.

As an impact litigator specializing in employment law for marginalized communities and representing survivors of sex crimes, Latrice combines her legal acumen with a deep commitment to justice. She has also contributed to the public discourse through self-published articles that analyze and critique the evolving political landscape of America. Latrice’s work examines how the structures of American fascism and empire-building manifest in law, policy, and social movements, making her a critical voice in understanding the political currents shaping the nation today.