What does February mean to you?
February: Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Winter Break from School, Chinese New Year, and, of course, the last full month of winter.
I intentionally omitted what should be the most important characteristic of February which is BHM, Black History Month. As you pondered the above question, I wonder if you noticed the absence of BHM.
As a black person, what does this month mean to you? As a white person, what does this month mean to you?
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, a black historian, announced that the second week of February would be celebrated as “Negro History Week.” Then in 1970 at Kent State University in Ohio, the first mention and celebration of a Black History Month began. Six years later in 1976 as part of the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration, President Gerald Ford declared February as Black History Month throughout the United States. Canada followed suit in 1995.
Superstar actor Morgan Freeman claims, “Black History Month is racist. I don’t want a Black History Month. Black History is American history.”
I don’t know about you, but I was surprised by Freeman’s remarks. Although I certainly agree that black history is a part of the fiber of America, I firmly believe that special attention to the accomplishments of African-Americans continues to be needed so that all of us, blacks and whites, are better educated as to these wonderful endeavors.
The main point of this blog is this question:
Does Black History Month actually educate society as a whole or does it reinforce the division between our two races?
At schools across the country, posters are put up in media centers, radio and television shows commemorate the importance of February, walks and gatherings are held in many communities, speakers and entertainers support Black History Month.
But, who is listening? Who is viewing? Who is marching? Who is learning? Are the black youth engaged? Do they know the history of the struggle of their race and the subsequent, tremendous accomplishments? Are white people asked to join in the celebration? Or, is this month just another time to display our differences?
Hmmm? There was a book written called Black Like Me
Come join us. You will be welcomed and educated and changed.
