by Roger Luebs

Editor’s note: Claremont resident Roger Luebs recently shared his personal reflections on Black History Month with his family and friends. With his permission, The Courier expands his audience here.

This month is the 50^th anniversary of the official establishment of February as Black History Month in the U.S. I admit to not paying much attention to this milestone, until the last week or so. After all, haven’t I, haven’t we, evolved? Is this really necessary? Don’t we all know that Black history is American history, indeed, world history?

How naive I am. My president unapologetically posts disgusting racist tropes on his social media site. My president destroys museum exhibits that explain the role of slavery in our history. My president knows that his bigotry plays well with about 40% of my fellow citizens, and that another significant percentage will tolerate it, even if they find it “inappropriate.”

Black History Month is not just about celebrating the contributions of Black Americans, although that is important. It is also intended to be a time of reflection regarding our history, and current reality, of racism and oppression. With that in mind, I offer three suggestions:

“James,” the 2025 Pulitizer Prize winning novel by Percival Everett, is a “reimagining of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the point of view of “Jim,” the enslaved man in the original. I can never know what it was to be enslaved, but through this book I gained a greater understanding. The book is so upsetting, that at times I was tempted to put it down. But it is also very funny and the adventure story is full of exciting twists and turns. I felt like Everett captured the voice of Twain. (But remember, I am not a scholar of American literature.) In the end, it is about one man claiming his humanity against overwhelming odds.

Michelle Obama’s 2018 book “Becoming” has received great reviews, and many people have recommended it to me. I have not read it, yet, but I did watch the Netflix documentary “Becoming,” which tells her story through the book tour she took to promote the book. Like “James,” one gains a greater understanding of the Black experience in America. A different time and different gender, but some similar themes. She is a truly remarkable, inspiring woman. Has anyone watched this documentary and then watched “Melania” and is willing to offer a “compare and contrast” essay?

We have all heard of “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 letter written while he was in jail for participating in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. But have we ever taken the time to read the whole thing? It is long. MLK acknowledges as much at the end. But it is brilliant. It is a treatise on civil disobedience. It is passionate, but clear headed. As you read it, ask yourself, is Dr. King writing to me? It makes me yearn for such leadership now. And it is free on the internet.

Roger Luebs is a retired Superior Court judge who has lived in Claremont for five years.