This is so damaging to society. It’s good that people care enough to do the hard work to find these spaces and host these events. It’s good that these events are popular and are bringing people.

But unfortunately these events are being held in the shadows, and have to be. The people holding these events are providing a great service, but when it is not in the public square as it has been, the strength is diminished. This idea that black history itself is racist, only breeds racism. Programs like these, like those that were stripped from schools, breed empathy. Empathy that is desperately needed right now.