Black History Month may have come to an end, according to our ignorant calendars, but the spirit of BHM lives on in all of our hearts — indefinitely. One of the reasons it's difficult to forget the many wonders of Black history, not that we would ever try, is because our culture is incredibly pervasive and so familiar. Black people are by no means a monolith, but we definitely have a few consistencies that pop up like clock work regardless of the individual homes we were raised in.

The decorations that make an appearance in Black households everywhere is one of those consistencies. Where do they come from? It's not always known, but the joy and confusion they bring as cultural mainstays can't be denied.

1. Midnight Soul Black Art

From the moment we walked into an elder's abode, if they had one of these prints featuring a steamy Black couple (usually purchased at Burlington Coat Factory) they were making a statement. We were entering a grown folks' house, so we minded our business and didn't ask too many questions. These works can often be seen in a confirmed bachelorette or bachelor pad. More specifically, at our aunt's house; the one whose male "friend" Larry frequently took her on cruises. He never said much but played cards with the other adults and was nice enough.

It appears this art form was popularized by fine artist and Air Force Veteran, Henry Lee Battle, who currently resides in Atlanta. His work features detailed still life portraits that commonly feature: praying, church hats, lusty Black couples, Barack Obama and tank tops. I long to feel grown enough where I can hang one of his pieces in my boudoir.  

2. MLK Commemorative Plate 

Ebay

Photo credit: ebay

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an omnipresent spirit in the homes and lives of Black folk. Before we were sent off to pre-k and  kindergarten, many of us had already spent our days staring at a commemorative plate of the slain civil rights icon. From the remembrance of his quotes and speeches to the behind closed door family discussions on how seemingly not much has changed, the prized relic has stood the test of time. Whether in a plate stand, in the china cabinet or hanging on the wall, we don't know where it came from, but we're comforted by the fact that it's always there.

3. Giant Wooden Fork And Spoon

My mom had this in our kitchen when I was growing up. I always thought it was so unique and special. Then, I started accompanying my parents to their friends' get togethers (usually involving spades), and I saw that most everyone had the big wooden fork and spoon. Once, I remember asking my mom where she got it; she never knew. My grandmother now has a different big wooden utensil set in the house that was built for her in the early 90s. No one knows where that combo came from either.

4. Sharply Dressed Black Family At Church; A Church Fan

Church can be boring to a kid. With an understanding via the sharpest, quietest stare to behave, one had only the limited resources of the sanctuary to entertain them. Personally, I was partial to doodling on tithe and offering envelopes and rummaging through my mom or grandmother's purse for mints and gum. But when that exhausted itself, I took to admiring the church fans. Always, there were images of dignified Black families in their Sunday best. In the fan pictured, we see a Dennis Graham inspired mustache and a woman who clearly just came straight from the salon. Bonus points for the little girl’s odd church attire and lil' man's double breasted suit.

5. Reused Grease Can

Cooking oil should never be poured down the drain because it clogs the pipes, according to Mr. Rooter. But before knowing this professional warning, many of us were told never to throw the oil away because it should be stored for reuse. For reasons unknown, a Crisco can was the perfect receptacle, but a mason jar also worked. The distinct jars distinguished whether the recycled oil could be used to fry fish or sizzle bacon. It also added to the many ways in which we could be reprimanded in the kitchen.

6. Black Jesus

There hasn't been adequate data on how many members of the Black delegation grew up with Black Jesus or believe him to be true. Personally, there weren't images depicting Jesus in my home growing up, but there was an unspoken understanding that he was Black. In contrast, I've met Black people who recounted how disoriented or offended they were when they first saw a picture of "Black Jesus." Perhaps the inherent controversy that comes with proudly displaying an image of a Black messiah was the reason they were so scantily speckled within the community? As a people who have historically, and consistently, been checked on to see just how much white supremacist ideology has stuck, an image of a Black Jesus sent a strong message: "f**k your feelings." Authors and theologians have just now started to discuss the ethnicity of Jesus (should we believe him to exist), and the importance of acknowledging that ethnicity.

7. Funeral Home Calendar

The skepticism that came when seeing a funeral home calendar always prompted the same question, "Can we afford a normal calendar?" As we get older, we realize A) calendars are expensive and B) it takes a lot of forethought to buy a calendar in advance. How generous was the local funeral home to provide a solution to both of these problems? I wonder how I can get one from my local funeral home without having used their services?

8. Leopard Print Bed Set 

The first time I saw this in person, was during high school at my best friend’s house. It was a house rule that her and her sister were not to be in her mother’s room and to especially never bring guests in. But my friend wanted to use her mother’s good flat irons, so the rule had to be broken. Two things immediately stood out. The first thing, was the massive bed fitted with leopard print decor: comforter, sheets, standard pillows, decorative pillows and throw. The owner of the bed set, my friend’s mom, was a woman who frequented the Elks lodge on Saturday’s and kept a short hair style. She had things to do and that’s why we kids “couldn’t use her car.” She often called one of her children into her room to hand her the remote and would ask them if they had offered me “some of that leftover spaghetti?” She was an uncompromising, unapologetic woman of the world and I've found that’s pretty much been the character makeup of many of the folk who own this bed set. 

 The second thing that stood out was a painting of a sexy Black couple staring at each other (see image 1).

Black JesusBlack-artBlavity-OriginalHenry-Lee-BattleMLK-Plate