Celebrating Black History Month

Ten takeways about Black History Month

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images 1968: The Year That Changed Sports — And The World A look at how Tommie Smith's and John Carlos’ raised-fist salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics resonates 50 years later. And Arthur Ashe's historic victory in 1968 made him the first African-American man to win the U.S. Open — a record he holds to this day.  A Linguistic Controversy With African Roots Once upon a time, English speakers didn't say "mmhmm,” but Africans did. How this simple word spread from enslaved Africans to Southern whites’ vernacular. Stuart Ramson/AP The Best of Nancy Wilson’s Jazz Profiles The late Nancy Wilson made her debut as the host of NPR’s beloved music series in August 1995. This list of Wilson's favorite episodes includes explorations of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and singer Nat King Cole's elegant brilliance, among others. The Fresh Air Interview: Henry Louis Gates Terry Gross talked to the Harvard historian about hosting the PBS series Finding Your Roots and some of the more controversial aspects of DNA testing for African-Americans. Andrew Burton/Getty Images A Look Back At Trayvon Martin's Death — And The Movement It Inspired Karen Grigsby Bates talks to filmmakers Julia Willoughby Nason and Jenner Furst about their six-episode series, Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story. Remembering Jackie Robinson At 100 Athletes may be electrifying and adored, but only true heroes like Jackie Robinson enrich the lives of others — and sometimes — move along history. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images When Boys Can't Be Boys Gene Demby unpacks how one word — “boy” — came to symbolize a way black folks were reminded of their place in America's post-slavery South. Exploding The Myths About Black-Jewish Relations The real story of Jewish participation in the civil rights movement can teach us a lot about privilege, historical memory and the way we construct our own stories. Matt Kennedy/Disney/Marvel Studios via AP Designing The World of Wakanda Designer Ruth Carter — whose previous films include Selma, Malcolm X and Roots — talks about pulling colors, shapes, jewelry, and textures from tribes all over Africa to create Black Panther’s futuristic costumes. You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002