Preserving Knowledge: A Practical Guide to Archives & Special Collections: Black Preservation

Black preservation embodies the active effort to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, historical, and social aspects of Black communities, particularly in the face of centuries of marginalization, erasure, and systemic inequality. The struggle for Black preservation and visibility is ongoing, underscoring the importance of existing in spaces where we can name and define what is significant to us. This process is a direct reflection of our truth, our culture, our stories, and our dreams. It also serves as a rejection of the stereotypes and misconceptions that have long been imposed upon us. For generations, we have maintained a clear sense of identity, despite external forces attempting to shape and distort our narrative. Today, the world is continually being forced to acknowledge and respect who we truly are and all we've done. Black preservation is not merely about survival—it is about asserting our rightful place, defining our own stories, and above all else demanding visibility on our own terms.

                                                                                                                                                                                             - 1990 Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln 

Siafa Tolbert ( King) & Crystal Miller (Queen)

- Students leaving Mary Dod Brown Memorial Chapel 1986

Black preservation encompasses a wide range of elements that collectively aim to protect, celebrate, and promote the cultural, historical, and social legacies of Black communities. Some key elements include but are not limited to...

 Cultural Traditions & Practices

• Music and Dance: Black music traditions, such as blues, jazz, gospel, hip-hop, and R&B, play a central role in Black cultural preservation. These art forms are not just entertainment but expressions of history, identity, and resilience. Dance styles, from traditional African dance to contemporary street dance, also carry deep cultural significance.
• Storytelling and Oral Histories: Oral traditions have been vital in preserving Black history, especially given the lack of written records during periods of enslavement and systemic oppression. Storytelling helps to pass down experiences, wisdom, and customs from one generation to the next.
• Culinary Traditions: The foods associated with Black communities, especially those rooted in the African diaspora, are an important part of cultural preservation. From soul food in the United States to Caribbean and African cuisines, these food traditions maintain ties to ancestral roots and offer a way to celebrate cultural heritage.

Historical Memory & Education

• Museums and Archives: Preserving historical sites, archives, and museums focused on Black history, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., is crucial for documenting and teaching about the struggles, achievements, and contributions of Black people. 
• Education and Scholarship: Promoting Black-centered curricula in schools, universities, and through academic research ensures that Black history and culture are taught from an accurate, empowering perspective. This also fosters critical thinking around race, identity, and social justice.

 Art & Literature

• Black Literature: Writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and contemporary authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have contributed significantly to Black cultural preservation through literature. Their works illuminate the complexities of the Black experience and offer insights into the struggles and triumphs of Black life.
• Visual Arts: Visual art, from traditional African art to the Harlem Renaissance and modern-day artists, reflects the creativity and innovation of Black communities. 
• Film and Theater: Black filmmakers and playwrights Lorraine Hansberry have used the stage and screen to tell powerful stories of Black life and culture, ensuring that these narratives are not lost or distorted.

 Language and Dialects

• African American Vernacular English (AAVE): The preservation of AAVE, along with other Black languages and dialects, is a significant aspect of Black culture. These linguistic practices represent a history of survival and adaptation and continue to shape the way Black communities communicate and express their identities.
• African Languages: In many African American communities, reclaiming African languages or incorporating elements from them into daily life represents an effort to reconnect with ancestral roots.

 Social & Political Movements

• Civil Rights and Black Power Movements: The struggles for civil rights, social justice, and racial equality have been integral to Black preservation efforts. Key moments such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, and contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter have shaped and continue to influence the fight for equality and recognition.
• Activism and Advocacy: Continued efforts to fight against systemic racism, economic inequality, police brutality, and other forms of oppression are critical to preserving Black life and freedom. Advocacy organizations, community activists, and policymakers work to ensure that Black communities are not only protected but also empowered.

 Spirituality and Religion

• African Traditional Religions: Many Black communities, particularly those in the African diaspora, have maintained connections to African spiritual practices, even in the face of forced conversion to Christianity or Islam. Preserving these spiritual traditions is a way to honor ancestral beliefs and maintain cultural continuity.
• Black Church and Christianity: The Black church has historically been a center of spiritual, social, and political life in many Black communities, particularly in the U.S. The church has often been a space for resistance, organizing, and community-building.

Community Spaces & Institutions

• Community Centers and Cultural Institutions: Churches, libraries, community centers, and cultural institutions like the Apollo Theater in Harlem or the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago play a key role in fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
• Black-Owned Businesses and Institutions: Supporting and preserving Black-owned businesses and institutions is a form of economic empowerment and community resilience. These spaces not only provide economic opportunity but also contribute to the cultural fabric of Black communities.

Preservation of Land & Historical Sites

• Historical Landmarks: Preserving landmarks and places of historical significance to the Black community—such as the homes of Black activists, historic neighborhoods, and sites related to the Civil Rights Movement—helps to honor the past and educate future generations.
• Protecting Black Diaspora Sites: In Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America, the preservation of key sites tied to the transatlantic slave trade, plantation systems, and the history of colonialism is crucial for understanding the global impact of Black history.

 Family & Kinship Structures

• Preserving Family History: Black families often place great importance on genealogies and the passing down of family stories. Maintaining these histories not only strengthens familial bonds but also connects individuals to a broader history of survival and triumph.
• Cultural Practices: Family traditions, rituals, and kinship structures that have endured through generations help maintain continuity of Black cultural identity.