Dear College of Education Community,
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate African American history and culture, and also a time to renew our commitment to our own self-care as we engage in antiracist work. “When we listen to our bodies, hearts, and minds, and consider input from trusted friends, we can find resiliency and renew our lives and work, “ as stated on the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture website. “We each bring our own beliefs, experiences, and feelings to our anti-racist work – a work that is difficult and demanding. Our ongoing commitment to actively think about and take action against racism, combined with a sense of urgency and deep caring, adds pressure and stress to our daily lives. The emotional impact of this work is real, therefore it is vital that we all practice ‘self-care’ to benefit our overall health and quality of life.” Recommended by this website, “Self-care, at its most basic, refers to a person’s effort to maintain their wellness and health. Initiated and maintained by each individual based on their own needs, self-care requires active engagement and conscious effort to form new, beneficial habits. Caring for ourselves helps to bring balance, focus, and mindfulness to our lives. In turn, this helps us to better navigate the challenging social and political issues related to our anti-racist work.“
To view suggestions for self-care at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture website, go to https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/self-care
For a list of other self-care options, please go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
May we both celebrate and contemplate all that encompasses Black History month!
Warmly,
Shari