We Are Not Finished

Black History Month is not just about celebrating the past. It is about confronting the present and protecting the future.

Recently, here in Vancouver, Washington, I saw a sign that said: “Immigrants built the USA.” While immigrants have absolutely contributed to this country, that statement leaves out a painful and undeniable truth:

Enslaved Africans built this nation.

Top: Construction of the U.S. Capitol, a project historically tied to enslaved labor that built much of the nation’s most iconic institutions. Bottom: Enslaved African Americans laboring in the 19th century, underscoring the profound contributions and exploitation of Black people in this country’s history. These scenes remind us that Black history is American history and that the legacy of slavery still shapes our society today.

(Photo sources: As shared via Facebook; historical photos of enslaved labor and U.S. Capitol construction — original sources provided in the linked Facebook post)

This country was built on the backs, blood, and unpaid labor of Black people. Our ancestors cleared land, built cities, harvested crops, laid railroads, and created wealth that they were never allowed to enjoy. Yet today, too often, that history is ignored, minimized, or erased.

Across the United States, Black history is being pushed out of classrooms, challenged in school districts, and treated as “controversial.” But history is not controversial. It is factual. And those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

On the left, supporters of then-President Donald Trump forcefully breach the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, attempting to overturn a democratic election — a moment later detailed in a Senate report as the result of sweeping security failures. On the right, peaceful demonstrators protest the killing of George Floyd in 2020, calling for justice and an end to racial violence. These images highlight the stark contrast in how different movements are treated and remembered by the nation. (Photo sources: PBS NewsHour for the January 6 image; WUNC/News & Observer for the George Floyd protest image)

Two Systems. Two Standards.

We live in a country where the Constitution and the law are not applied equally.

We have seen it clearly.

People who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6 were treated with patience, restraint, and leniency.

Kyle Rittenhouse was able to walk free after killing people.

Yet Black people continue to lose their lives during routine interactions, traffic stops, wellness checks, and false accusations.

There is one system for some, and another system for others.

And Black communities know this firsthand.

From left to right: Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Sandra Bland. This digitally created image envisions them together in peace and joy, honoring the lives that were taken far too soon and the futures that were stolen. Each of these individuals should still be here today. Their stories remind us that behind every headline was a human being who mattered, who was loved, and who deserved to live.  (Image created using publicly available reference photos of Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Sandra Bland. Composite artwork for educational and memorial purposes.)

This composite image honors Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Sandra Bland, and Michael Brown — Black lives lost as a result of police violence and racial injustice. Their deaths highlight the human cost of harmful stereotypes and biased threat perceptions that research shows can increase the likelihood of deadly force being used against Black people. Challenging these stereotypes and advancing understanding is essential to saving Black lives and building a more just society. Image sources: Publicly available photos of Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Sandra Bland, and Michael Brown. Context informed by research from the Greater Good Science Center.

We Remember Their Names

This Black History Month, we honor the lives that should never have been taken:

• Mike Brown

• George Floyd

• Breonna Taylor

• Sandra Bland

• Trayvon Martin

• Eric Garner

• Ahmaud Arbery

• Philando Castile

These were sons. Daughters. Mothers. Fathers. Friends. Dreamers.

They were human beings.

They deserved to live.

According to the NAACP, in the vast majority of cases involving police-related deaths, officers are not charged. This lack of accountability sends a dangerous message: that Black lives are disposable.

They are not.

Stereotypes Cost Lives

Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley shows that racial stereotypes directly contribute to fear-based reactions and deadly outcomes. When Black people are automatically seen as “threats,” “dangerous,” or “criminal,” it increases the likelihood of violence against us.

Challenging stereotypes is not about being “politically correct.”

It is about saving lives.

This image honors Black men who were killed by police or died in custody under questionable circumstances, highlighting names and faces too often forgotten. It underscores the urgent need for public recognition and remembrance of victims of racial violence — the very reason advocates have called for a national monument to honor those lost to racial terror and injustice. Image context informed by the call for a national monument for victims of racial violence (Haitian Times).

Unity Is Our Survival

Black people must understand this truth:

UNITED WE STAND. DIVIDED WE FALL.

Throughout history, our greatest progress has come when we stood together.

During the Civil Rights Movement, it was collective action, shared sacrifice, and community strength that created change.

Today, division weakens us.

We cannot afford it.

We must build our own systems of support.

Our own networks.Our own communities.

Our own spaces of healing and protection.

No one is coming to save us.

We must save each other.

This original artwork by Ruby N. Lewis merges the African American flag with the American flag and the outline of the United States, symbolizing the inseparable connection between Black history and American history. It represents resilience, struggle, pride, and the enduring contributions of African Americans to the foundation and future of this nation. The design affirms that Black identity and American identity are not separate — they are woven together. Artwork © 2024 Ruby N. Lewis. Created in Photoshop. All Rights Reserved.

Selective Solidarity

Too often, movements only care about injustice when it affects them.

Black people have been protesting, organizing, and mourning for generations.

Yet our pain is often ignored until it becomes someone else’s problem.

We are asked to show up for everyone.

But not everyone shows up for us.

That truth must be acknowledged.

Members of the Black community share a moment of support, comfort, and understanding, reflecting the emotional weight many carry in today’s social and political climate. This image represents the importance of rest, connection, and mental health care as essential tools for healing, resilience, and survival. It reminds us that protecting our mental health is an act of strength, not weakness. Digitally generated image created for PDDBM’s Black History Month 2026 mental health awareness section. Used for educational and advocacy purposes.

Protecting Our Mental Health

With everything happening in politics, in the White House, in schools, and in the streets,

Black people are carrying an enormous emotional burden.

We are grieving.

We are angry.

We are tired.

We are still fighting.

This Black History Month, PDDBM encourages our community to prioritize mental health.

Rest is not weakness.

Therapy is not shame.

Boundaries are not selfish.

You deserve peace.

You deserve healing.

You deserve joy.

Our survival depends on it.

Ruby N. Lewis stands in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., wearing a shirt that reads “We Are Not Going Anywhere.” This image represents resilience, perseverance, and the ongoing fight for justice, equity, and civil rights. It reflects a commitment to honoring the legacy of Dr. King while continuing the work he began — ensuring that Black voices are heard, protected, and empowered for generations to come. Photo of Ruby N. Lewis at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Washington, D.C. Personal photograph. Used with permission.

We Are Not Finished

While the media focuses on immigration debates and political drama, Black people are still being killed.

Sometimes loudly.

Sometimes quietly.

Sometimes in silence.

Our struggle did not end with Dr. King.

It did not end with the Civil Rights Act.

It did not end with Barack Obama’s presidency.

We are still fighting for:

• Safety

• Equality

• Dignity

• Opportunity

• Respect

• Life

Black History Month is not a conclusion.

It is a reminder.

We are still here.

We are still building.

We are still resisting.

We are still dreaming.

We are still demanding better.

And we are not finished.

The official logo of Please Don’t Die Black Men (PDDBM) represents the organization’s commitment to protecting Black lives, uplifting Black youth, and advocating for justice, equity, and community empowerment. The central image symbolizes awareness, resilience, and vigilance in the face of systemic racism, while the surrounding seal reflects PDDBM’s role as a trusted advocate and voice for change. Official logo of Please Don’t Die Black Men (PDDBM). EIN: 92-0587287. Original artwork and design. © Please Don’t Die Black Men. All Rights Reserved.

PDDBM’s Commitment

At Please Don’t Die Black Men (PDDBM), our mission remains clear:

To protect Black lives.

To uplift Black youth.

To educate our community.

To build equity.

To create opportunity.

To honor our ancestors.

To empower our future.

We will continue to speak truth.

We will continue to hold systems accountable.

We will continue to center Black voices.

We will continue to fight for justice.

Because Black history is American history.

And Black lives matter.

Always.