Attendees find solidarity, solace at Black History Market 

Arbeiter Brewing brought together local Black-owned businesses and community members for its second Black History Month market Wednesday, Feb. 4, creating not only a space to shop but also an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the current political climate and what they hope future generations will remember about this moment in history.

The brewery hosted its second Black History Month market, offering attendees the chance to shop from local Black-owned businesses. Black Garnet Books, Quiet Cat Bakery, and Blackberry Bakery were among the vendors, bringing books, pastries and handmade goods to the event.

The market also created space for conversations with attendees about how future generations may look back on the present and what they hope will be remembered.

For Jasmine Baker, 28, an educator and bookseller with Black Garnet Books, the question of how this era will be remembered feels deeply personal amid ongoing political uncertainty. “We’re in a very trying time right now,” Baker said. 

“I’m a Gen Z-er, so just being raised within a recession and then a depression and now we’re going back into recession again, and then dealing with sitting fascism and then being in an occupation and then having to deal with a pandemic … It is a lot in such a short time span.”

Baker said she hopes future generations recognize the role Black and brown communities have played during this period.

“I’m hoping future generations, whoever looks back on this history, sees how powerful we are as people, especially Black and brown people, because oftentimes in the past we were forgotten or written out of the storyline,” she said. “I hope that changes … that we were on the front lines, educating, taking care of each other, encouraging people, and being that force to withstand all these trying times.”

How will this history be told

Another attendee, Angel Scott, 25, spoke about the uncertainty surrounding how recent federal immigration enforcement actions, particularly those resulting in fatal encounters and widespread protests, may be remembered.

“In these times, it is honestly really hard to think about how future generations will view this moment,” Scott said. “With so much misinformation being spread and so many attacks on the truth, I worry that future generations may have a skewed perspective on what really happened.”

Scott said she hopes history will reflect both accountability and resistance. “In an ideal world, I hope they look back on these times with mixed feelings of embarrassment and pride,” she said.

“Embarrassment that something as vile as these current ICE operations could even take place in this country, but pride in the resistance and community that formed to oppose what this administration is doing.”

Zainab Youngmark, 29, owner of Quiet Cat Bakery, shared a similar reflection. She said she owns a book documenting the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s that she has not yet read, noting that it feels especially heavy given today’s political climate.

“I just keep thinking about the book, and if I pull it out, I’m sure I’m going to see what I’ve been seeing on social media right now,” Youngmark said. “It’s like a repeat of everything. It’s cyclical.”

Whitney Robinson, 34, owner of Blackberry Bakery, said she feels hopeful for future generations, pointing to the strength of today’s youth and the challenges they face growing up in a more exposed world.

“They are a group of strong individuals,” Robinson said. “I think we should invest more in their mental health because they are taking in a lot. When we were younger, a lot of this was hidden from us. We didn’t see all of this.”

Strength in community

As Black History Month events continue across the Twin Cities, many participants said gathering in community spaces feels especially important during a time of widespread uncertainty.

“I think it’s important that people come together right now because it really shows strength in numbers,” Scott said. “During times like this, when people are really afraid to go outside, seeing your neighbors and community members in person can help fight that sense of isolation and desperation.”

Scott added that one positive outcome of the moment has been deeper community connections. “The silver lining is that people are starting to form stronger ties to their communities,” she said. 

“Being able to come together, especially in these business spaces, and support them really helps fight the isolation people are feeling right now.”

Aamira Redd is a freelance journalist and contributor for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder