Is it time to end Black History Month?

[Muscles4daze]

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! People stop acting like blacks in the United States are no longer being discriminated against. Just because we have a black president does not mean we can all sit down, hold hands and sing "We Are The World". I find it hilarious when I hear white people say "We don't have a B.E.T", yes we do and it's called C.B.S, N.B.C and damn near every other network and cable television station out there. There have been many improvements since the civil rights movement, but you can't deny the fact that we have way's to go.

The media loves to glorify all the negative aspects of the black culture and lead people to believe that all black people are ghetto, uneducated and unemployed, but anyone who cares enough to educate themselves about a culture other than there's would know that is not the case. Athletes and rappers are always going to get media coverage because they bring in major revenue for Corporate America, but you will never hear about the black scientists, astronauts etc. Many of you fail to realize blacks were forced to be slaves, and once slavery was abolished they still were considered to be inferior to their white counterparts. There is a small percentage of "White America" who feel that blacks should be content with the advancements they have made since the Civil Rights Movement and stop striving for more, well I for one am not one of them, but I think a lot of you jubers are.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

It's critical that we continue to observe black history month in February, as well as women's history month, which occurs in March. This is to recognize the historic contributions of women and minorities which have been consistently overlooked in our educational curricula.

How many of you can name twenty innovations pioneered by black inventors during the nineteenth and twentiweth centuries?

What african american female entreprenur is often referred to as the "Mary Kay" or her generation?

Lots of interesting stuff to learn, and nothing wrong with having a dedicated period to spotlight that knowledge.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Black History Month [snip] tends to breed cynicism and racism from buttheads who simply want to be cynical and/or racist.

Yup, we're seeing that in this thread. "Won't those blacks just take their history and go away?"

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

It's critical that we continue to observe black history month in February, as well as women's history month, which occurs in March. This is to recognize the historic contributions of women and minorities which have been consistently overlooked in our educational curricula.

Did you (ANY of you) read the article? It's not just about erasing the studies in February, it's about extending them, combining them with the regular history curriculum.

How many of you can name twenty innovations pioneered by black inventors during the nineteenth and twentiweth centuries?

Would 5% be a generous guesstimate?

Lots of interesting stuff to learn, and nothing wrong with having a dedicated period to spotlight that knowledge.

Yes there is something wrong, it trivializes our history, there is no way in hell we can possibly cover all of black Americans' contributions in one month, unless we throw A LOT of names off the boat and just stick to the key players that everybody and they mama can name.

BHM is an EPIC FAILURE! We've been doing it for years and still nobody seems to know anything about black contributions to medicine, science, technology, and the arts. BHM has been unsuccessful, but we want to continue that course? Have I fallen into the George W. Bush Academy of (IL)Logic?

We know that the average American knows jack shit about black history, so instead of merging black history (which itself was created under a separate-but-equal mentality) with American history and teaching all year round, we want to continue compacting centuries worth of information into the shortest month of the year?

 

[star-warrior]

Is there a Yellow Peril month? I'd be so there.

 

[SonOfSlobone]

Well, Black History Month is already the shortest month of the year, so I guess I can handle it...

 

[SonOfSlobone]

Yeah, I'm sure you can. You seem like the type who is probably use to handling "short" things.
Short months, short buses, short dick...

Well, like my grandmother always said -- fuck em if they can't take a joke...

 

[BabiGayPimp]

I'm sorry, but people who call for the eradication of Black History month are simply unaware of the richness of cultural, academic, political, and spiritutal exchange, which this period of special observance helps to facilitate and maintain throughout the year.

No one is calling for the elimination of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Women's History Month, National Diversity Month, or any of the other unique traditional observances, because they obviously see the value in having focal points to increase understanding in certain areas of concern.

Western historical edcuation continues to give the African Heritage elements cursory treatment, while elevating the European historical perspective.

I personally cannot imagine February without the intensified emphasis on Black History. That's part of my life. I participate in and help organize many related activities in my community, and my family is involved. I am very busy this month.

I celebrate black history all year round, but February is my special time to reinvgorate my interest in our culture, traditions, history, and our global inheritance. It's an annual reawakening for me. It's redemption, of a sort.

I made an impassioned plea in a another thread several weeks ago for people of all races, ethnicities, and places or origin to join those of us of black African heritiage, in establishing bonds of cross-cultural unity that will stand the test of time.

And that invitation stands open. Face it fellows, Black History Month is here to stay because it is needed.

Hell, even white people need the uplifting energy of Black History Month is these difficult times.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

I'm sorry, but people who call for the eradication of Black History month are simply unaware of the richness of cultural, academic, political, and spiritutal exchange, which this period of special observance helps to facilitate and maintain throughout the year.

WRONG! That's it's INTENDED purpose, but that's not reality. The reality is that most black Americans don't know much more than their white counterparts, they know Mr. Luther King and Rosa Parks, and little else. They only view BHM as a reminder of slavery, not a celebration of inventions and inventors that they can't even name.

Western historical edcuation continues to give the African Heritage elements cursory treatment, while elevating the European historical perspective.

That's exactly what you're trying to do, compact it into one month that has failed it's purpose anyway.

I personally cannot imagine February without the intensified emphasis on Black History.

You're on a ledge damn-near by yourself. Many blacks don't give it any more thought than "Some of my ancestors were slaves, I'm going to acknowledge that for 28 days."

I celebrate black history all year round, but February is my special time to reinvgorate my interest in our culture, traditions, history, and our global inheritance. It's an annual reawakening for me. It's redemption, of a sort.

That's exactly the problem, we shouldn't NEED a month to rejuvenate our thirst for our history and culture, that should be EVERYDAY, we shouldn't need a holiday as an excuse to do something we should be doing anything.

I made an impassioned plea in a another thread several weeks ago for people of all races, ethnicities, and places or origin to join those of us of black African heritiage, in establishing bonds of cross-cultural unity that will stand the test of time.

I'm cock-sure that unless you bump it it's going to fade into archive oblivion by Valentine's Day.

Hell, even white people need the uplifting energy of Black History Month is these difficult times.

The very concept offends and scares them. Whites view BHM as" those ever-suffering blacks asking for preferential treatment that isn't even necessary anymore." Why give them one big fat shot when we can give moderate ones throughout the year and face less opposition?

 

[BabiGayPimp]

Yes there is something wrong, it trivializes our history, there is no way in hell we can possibly cover all of black Americans' contributions in one month, unless we throw A LOT of names off the boat and just stick to the key players that everybody and they mama can name.

BHM is an EPIC FAILURE! We've been doing it for years and still nobody seems to know anything about black contributions to medicine, science, technology, and the arts. BHM has been unsuccessful, but we want to continue that course? Have I fallen into the George W. Bush Academy of (IL)Logic?

We know that the average American knows jack shit about black history, so instead of merging black history (which itself was created under a separate-but-equal mentality) with American history and teaching all year round, we want to continue compacting centuries worth of information into the shortest month of the year?

The purpose is not to cover all of black americans' contributions in one month. People involved in planning the activities for a given year's observance select topical area of concerns formed around annual themes. Just as persons of asian heritage are currently celebrating the "Year of the Ox," we've focused on black inventors some years, black achievers in industry and the arts in other years, etc.

I don't think it's mutually exclusive either. As I've said with the Womens' History Month parallel. The historical contributions of women are discussed and studied all year round, but they still have their special month to focus and celebrate. No one is trying to that that away from them.

No one is saying the Asians should submerge their traditions in the western calendars and stop acknowledgeing Lunar New Year or kick Diwali to the curb.

Every culture has its traditions and special observances.

As a result, we now have a burgeoning cadre of young blacks, in many cities, educated and more aware of their history, as they have been involved in Black History Month activities since childhood. Some of them quote black history to me! You should see the artwork, the essays, the poetry they write, the music they create. It's a beautiful thing. When I see the pride and recognition in these childrens' eyes, I want to cry sometimes.

And that's why we do what we do.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Might I suggest a bit less generalization?

Thank you ever so much...

For the love of God, of course I don't mean ALL white people, I apologize for leaving out "some." I forgot that this is justuspoliticallycorrectboys.com.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

The purpose is not to cover all of black americans' contributions in one month.

That's what's actually done. It distinguishes black American history from American history, and compacts it into one month as opposed to merging the two which would be the correct thing to do.

As a result, we now have a burgeoning cadre of young blacks, in many cities, educated and aware of their history, as they have been involved in Black History Month activities since childhood. You should see the artwork, the essays, the poetry they write, the music they create. It's a beautiful thing. When I see the pride and recognition in these childrens' eyes, I want to cry sometimes.

Perhaps I'm being negative but I don't think the cases you mentioned are the standard, rather the exception.

And that's why we do what we do.

That's the intention but, again, it's an utter failure. If we want our youth to understand their culture, why not teach it year long? And if we want black Americans to be considered JUST Americans instead of a segregated group, why perpetuate a segregated holiday?

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Well, to be fair, I've seen you correct people in the past for similar generalizations. Placing an entire group of people into one unsavory category tends to piss off the exceptions -- understandably so. I don't think there's anything wrong with having it pointed out, respectfully.

Yeah, "bite me" was very respectful.

I've made references to "blacks" in this thread without adding the PC "some" or "certain" tags. If Vanti is against generalizations, he should be against all of them, not just ones that apply to him.

 

[BabiGayPimp]

That's what's actually done. It distinguishes black American history from American history, and compacts it into one month as opposed to merging the two which would be the correct thing to do.



Perhaps I'm being negative but I don't think the cases you mentioned are the standard, rather the exception.



That's the intention but, again, it's an utter failure. If we want our youth to understand their culture, why not teach it year long? And if we want black Americans to be considered JUST Americans instead of a segregated group, why perpetuate a segregated holiday?

But we are teaching it all year long. And the children are participating. The month represents heightened observance. And it's more than just the history of american blacks that is involved. Other races and ethincities have their special holidays and periods of observance, and that does not diminish their citizenship or ghetto-ize them. Throughout the year, I participate in and/or attend Polish festivals, Puerto Rican festivals, Italian festivals, Chinese, Bangledeshi, Carribean. It's part of the richness of our cultural tapestry. None of these other groups are trying to give up their special days. Where I sit, Black History Month is a success that is attracting increasing interest. My friends and co-workers were excitedly talking about it months ago. The first big Black History month event I attended was about 10 years ago, gosh was I proud. I've never forgotten that. Today I am an organizer.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

But we are teaching it all year long.

Maybe in your school. The presence of blacks was minimal in my history classes, I heard about slavery and Harriet Tubman and that's about it. Oh, and a paragraph or two about the Harlem Rennaisance.

The month represents heightened observance.

Exactly the point here. It's heightened AKA specialized AKA segregated. If blacks are equal to whites, there shouldn't be any need to accentuate our history.

It's part of the richness of our cultural tapestry.

I agree, and I think it's high time we stop treating such things as novelties and recognize them as a facet of American culture, instead of the exception that gets sporadic shout-outs.

Where I sit, Black History Month is a success that is attracting increasing interest.

Where I sit, it's an astronomical failure. It's as traditional, meaningless, and commercialized as Christmas. STARTED OUT as a nice concept, but it's passed its expiration date.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Do I think that Black History Month is inherently a bad or unnecessary thing? No, I do not.

It's an acknowledged failure. That's fairly bad.

Although I agree that the history of black people should be included in the full history of our country and indeed our entire world, I see no reason it shouldn't be brought into sharper focus each February.

Why would it need sharper focus? The idea here is integration, not segregation.

I feel that one day, maybe soon, as older generations die off and newer generations that never had to live through the inequities of the past take the forefront it won't be needed,

That's where things get messy. The "suffrage" generations are dying off, but they gave birth to the "my own worst enemy" generation. Black America is in a state of disarray (uh-oh, a generalization!). We claim to celebrate our heritage, yet black women spend 2 hours every morning confoming to eurocentric standards of beauty. Beyonce doesn't seem at all bothered with her mag covers being photoshopped to make her appear lighter. That's not celebrating your heritage, it's masking it and devalorizing it.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Acknowledged by some, not all.

A sizeable some. You bring me a good 10,000 black students from across the country, I don't think more than 1,000 of them would be able to name 10 historical black figures/inventors, especially if they weren't allowed to use MLK, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman.

Unfortunately people are all the time trying to make themselves over into what they perceive as "better" instead of being proud of who they are.

That's the hypocrisy of the black community. 28 days of cheap lip service under the guise of "honoring our heritage" and 365 days of bue eye contacts, blonde tracks, Italian designers, make-up that's designed to mask our heritage. I swear to God everytime I see Beyonce on a magazine cover she's 2 shades lighter. She's gonna be transparent by the end of 09.

Her very success proves my point. Not that she isn't talented and a hard-worker, but part of Beyonce's success is her light skin and slim waist, an unrealistic portrayal of black women. If she were a size 8 which is more common, and as dark-skinned as Whoopi Goldberg she wouldn't be as popular. Many blacks make racist remarks towards themselves, chastisting one another for dark skin and not having the traditional small frame that's contradictory to our typical build.

Look at the gay community. It's hard to place the blame for this because we are ALL to blame. We allow ourselves to be force-fed the concept of "beauty" and "correct attitude" by a certain few until we start believing there can't be anything else.

That's what's happened here. The black community has invested all of it's chips into european beauty. We spend MILLIONS on trying to erase our ethnicity in everything from clothes to make-up to plastic surgery. And have the nerve to talk about black pride and heritage.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

I think the problem isn't that there is a Black History Month, I think the problem is that the opportunity for growth and learning has been poorly utilized.

The first part of your sentence is actually related to the last part. BHM doesn't encourage black youth to study their history, it trivializes and segregates black Americans. There's AMERICAN history then there's BLACK AMERICAN history. It's no different than separate fountains. I don't understand how blacks can claim they wanted to be treated equally, then ask to be distinguished from the standard.

"Oh, treat us equally....but give us a bonus holiday."

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

I see your point, but doesn't everyone do this?

Yes, but I'm putting it in the context of BHM. That's a time when black Americans claim to celebrate their heritage, the same heritage they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to cover up.

Some black girls want to be lighter.

Hence the hypocrisy behind BHM.

What I'm curious to know is whether most people are actually doing this to "conform," despite not enjoying the look -- or if they're doing it because they themselves enjoy the look.

Forgive me for being presumptuous but I think it's mostly the former because that can manifest into the latter. They THINK they enjoy the look because society valorizes it.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Still, I think it's difficult to shame someone just for trying to "look good."

It's more specific than that, the problem I'm talking about is how blacks erase their ethnicity thinking that it "looks bad" and looking white-ish "looks good." NATURAL is what looks good, especially if you're going to insist on a month where you claim to be proud of your heritage.