Want to Fight Modern Authoritarianism? Look to Black History

“The most marvelous, unbelievable thing about Black people in America is that they exist. Every imaginable monstrosity that evil can conjure has been inflicted on this population, yet they have not been extinguished.” — Ibram X. Kendi, Four Hundred Souls

Despite the Trump Administration’s current rampage to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion from our institutions in a fit of barely-veiled racism — including a refusal to acknowledge Black History Month — we know that the story of America cannot be told without acknowledging the outsized impact of Black Americans.

Whilesome have compared President Donald Trump’s return to the White House to 20th-century fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy, his heavy-handed authoritarian tactics have deeper roots — right here in the United States. From 1619, when the first African slaves were brought to these shores, through Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era, the American South fostered a homegrown form of fascism, where Black Americans were denied basic human rights, stripped of political representation, and subjected to constant threats to their existence.

Despite these challenges, Black Americans endured. Their influence has touched and transformed every aspect of American society — from the arts, politics, and music to law, food, and fashion. Black culture is American culture, and Black history is American history, which is precisely why Republicans across the country, including Trump himself, have attempted to erase and whitewash it.

Republicans understand that by studying Black history, we gain the tools to resist their oppression — Black history provides a blueprint for resilience and resistance. Now, more than ever, we must look to the past and learn from those who fought against even greater adversaries than we face today.

Resist

From the moment colonizers first robbed Africa of its most valuable resource–its people–there has been resistance. Some enslaved people on the dreaded Middle Passage decided to liberate themselves by jumping overboard rather than living a life of servitude. Others, like those on the Amistad, rebelled against their captors in their search for freedom. And, those who were left to toil on the sugar, cotton, and rice plantations — they resisted by running away, intentionally slowing down work, breaking tools, and planning slave rebellions. Some, like Dred Scott, even sued for their freedom. 

This spirit of resistance would continue even after the physical chains of bondage were broken — Black Americans during and after Reconstruction faced discrimination, violence, mass incarceration and had their humanity challenged. And yet, they resisted by registering to vote, running for public office, educating themselves, organizing, and demanding change. Through efforts big and small, Black Americans challenged that which seemed inevitable. These brave men and women teach us that through boycotts, protest, and action we can defeat those who wish to turn back the tide of progress. 

For me, resistance means teaching my students American history as it truly is — educating them about the horrors of slavery, the genocide of Native Americans, Jim Crow, lynching, mass incarceration, fascism, and the courageous individuals who fought against these injustices. 

For you, resistance might take the form of volunteering in your community, working on a political campaign, joining a social justice organization, sharing important news with family and friends, or even creating a TikTok video. Resistance is about taking action against injustice — no matter how big or small.

Build

The abolitionist movement was one of the most successful political efforts in U.S. history. The fight to end slavery faced numerous setbacks, but by building a broad and determined coalition, it ultimately triumphed. This coalition was far from perfect — many white abolitionists opposed slavery but did not believe in full equality for Black Americans. Nevertheless, Black leaders like Frederick Douglass worked alongside them for the greater good. Similarly, Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois collaborated with white activists to establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 — the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.

Likewise, during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and ’60s, diverse coalitions played a crucial role in dismantling racist laws and turning constitutional promises into reality for Black Americans. Black freedom fighters like James Chaney gave their lives alongside white allies Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner while registering Black voters in Mississippi. Reverend James Reeb, a white minister, was beaten to death by white supremacists in Selma, Alabama, after traveling there in support of the movement following Bloody Sunday.

Black women were the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement — figures like Mamie Till, Fannie Lou Hamer, Septima Clark, Diane Nash, and Dorothy Height led, organized, and fought tirelessly for justice. LGBTQ+ activists, who often had to hide or face persecution for their sexual orientation, were also instrumental in the movement’s success. Leaders such as Bayard Rustin, James Baldwin, and Pauli Murray played critical roles in shaping the movement’s strategies and messages. In Chicago, Fred Hampton united Black, white, and Latino communities to form a Rainbow Coalition, demonstrating the power of solidarity in confronting inequality.

Black history teaches us that building coalitions is essential. We must work with those who may not look like us or share all of our beliefs, but who are equally committed to fighting injustice. We cannot defeat hate and intolerance alone. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are our greatest strengths — and through them, we will overcome the forces of racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and fear.

Organizations like Community Change, founded in 1968 by leaders of the Civil Rights, labor, and anti-poverty movements, continue to build diverse coalitions in the fight against injustice to this day. Community Change works toward the abolition of poverty — an essential step in dismantling systemic racism, misogyny, and white supremacy that we currently face.

Joy
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Sojourner Truth once said, “Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier.” So, as we fight, let us remember to laugh, smile, and celebrate. Do not allow the darkness that engulfs the land to dim the light of your life. Instead, fight while also embracing the things that bring you joy. Read, write, hike, travel, eat, spend time with loved ones, sing — whatever nourishes your soul, do it while fighting for a more just world. 

I find joy in my daughter’s laughter, the pages of a good book, the flavors of a great meal shared over drinks, the breeze during a long run, and the timeless sound of ’70s soul music. Joy rejuvenates us for the fight, keeping us focused on what truly matters.

As we resist and build coalitions, we must not let the hatred and divisiveness of our enemies steal our joy. Like those who came before us, we fight during the day, we laugh at night, and we rejoice every morning that we have another opportunity to stand for what is right.