Every year during Black History Month radio stations, churches and schools find ways to honor or acknowledge Black History Month. When I hear about the Civil Rights Movement and the mistreatment African Americans had to endure, I always think of how difficult it would have been to live during that time. Even though we didn’t focus on Black History enough in school in my opinion, I think we got more than most students did. When I went to college, I was shocked that most of the students from Chicago had never heard of Emmett Till. He was an African-American boy who was murdered in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly whistling at a white woman; he was visiting from Chicago. I learned of his story in elementary school.
I often think about how it would have been to be a child living in Mississippi in the 1950′s. I have had “racist moments” throughout my life but few that were blatant. The most vivid memory I have and the first experience of discrimination occurred when I was five. In my hometown (West Point, MS) there is country club that is predominately White named Old Waverly. That day, the club had an event for all the children in the town. My mom took my older brother Aaron and I to enjoy the activities. We walked around for a bit on the beautiful grounds and decided to enjoy a hot air balloon ride. We walked up to the Caucasian man operating the massive aircraft in anticipation of an exciting ride. The man quickly said he was no longer giving rides so we walked away not thinking much of it. When we were about 16 feet away, a few White children walked up to the balloon operator. I watched expecting them to be turned away as well but they weren’t. I watched the children smiling and waving as the balloon slowly left the ground. I will never forget the feeling I had in that moment. The feeling of rejection and unworthiness cut deep. I didn’t cry but if your insides could, mine were weeping. This happened all because we were Black? I remember asking my mom why they were allowed to go up in the balloon and we weren’t. I can’t remember what she said but I already knew the answer. I can recall how her energy shifted. I could tell she was bothered by what happened even though she tried to pretend to act like her usual self. I always felt there was no difference in myself and my White friends so I never could wrap my mind around why someone would treat me differently because of my skin color.
I can’t imagine having to experience situations similar to that or more severe and cruel on a daily basis. It leaves a little cut and you are forced to find a way to continually heal yourself. That situation hurt me but I know others encountered things that were 100 times worse back in the day. I hold a great deal of respect for my parents and grandparents because the Old South was nothing to play with and they were able to become successful in spite of their circumstances. Both of my parents were the first to graduate from high school in their families and attend college which was a HUGE feat in the 1960′s-70′s for Blacks in the South and really anywhere. During Black History month I choose not only to honor inventors and African Americans in history books but the individuals in my life who have made Black history.
How did you celebrate Black History Month?
Today I had my first racist experience. I went out to lunch by myself today, and as I walking back to school (im still in high school) a older white woman called me a “Fucking Nigger Bitch” I kept walking, and pretty much acted like I never saw her. To be honest, at first I wasn’t even mad, but now I think I was just in shock. As it sunk in I got really upset, and decided that I wanted to go home. I live in an almost all white neighbourhood, so basically all the students are white. I didn’t just want to leave because of what she said, I wanted to leave because almost everyday I have to hear white kids calling each other “Nigga” , laugh at the way the few Asians in our school speak, and look at the way the few blacks change themselves to fit in. For example a black girls in my school decided to entertain her white friends, by mocking the way “ghetto blacks act”, at first I thought she was just acting ghetto but then I heard one of her friends ask” why do black people like that” While giggling she reply’s, “Seriously, I don’t know”. This school doesn’t even acknowledge that there is a black history month. I’m from Toronto (A really diverse place in Ontario, Canada) So i’m not use to this, (I now live in Niagara Falls, Ontario) From the very beginning I hated it here. I hate they way white people look at me, and treat me just because i’m black. They STARE! they don’t even bother to hide it. Then when you look at them, they act scared, as if you were doing something to them. My aunt is always like “what you haven’t seen black people before.” She used to just ignore it but there’s only so long you can hold back the way you are feeling. My brother is really good at basketball, and he understands that when your new a team, sometimes the coach doesn’t let you play at first, but this coach took it to a new level, my baby sister (Senior kindergarten) says she doesn’t want to go to school sometimes, because some of the girls in her class say they don’t want to play with her because she’s a different skin colour, My cousin had to apologise to someone who was bullying him. Sorry this is so long, but I am seriously really upset. I guess I just need advice on how to survive here for another 2 years. I haven’t even been here for a year, and this is all that has happened so far. My mm talked to the principal and all they did was have an assembly in my sisters school on bullying
Thank you for sharing that Shelly. Racism will never go away (not on earth) and we can’t control that but what we can control is how we react to it and handle it. It’s hard to understand why people can be so hateful towards someone they don’t know but don’t rattle your brain trying to figure it out.”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 People who inflict hurt on others in that way don’t truly know God and His love. God’s family comes in all sizes, shapes and skin tones. Remember Christ is color blind and it doesn’t matter if certain people don’t like you, God’s love for you is above them all.
When someone says something offensive to you and you are unsure if you should say something just listen to the Holy Spirit which lives inside of you. It’s God’s voice that speaks to you and guides you which is why it important to have a close relationship with Him so it will be easier to hear and understand His voice. So when someone says something racist or offensive to you if the Holy spirit says respond do so. Say what He tells you and nothing more but if not just walk away. It takes Jesus’ love to forgive the hurts and even after forgiving it takes more time and deliberate will to forget. “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” Psalm 37:39-40
You are strong and God will give you strength to deal with the things you hear and see. Pray for peace and you will be amazed at how unaffected you will be by the negative things that surround you. Take care girlie.
My mom, sister, grandma and I talk about how schools aren’t teaching, sometimes not even mentioning, Black History Month. My grandma used to always tell me that people weren’t too keen on teaching Black History month is because they want us to stay in dark, not know the truth. It’s starting to work. It kills me when I hear black people my own age saying that they hate Black History month. When I was younger, I used to hear some older black people say that they wish that the school systems were still segregated. I kinda agree and yet I don’t agree. Like for example, I went to a majority black elementary school, only 1 or 2% of the school population wasn’t black. We did so much there, we kept higher scores when compared to the other schools. We were pushed to our fullest potential. We always learned about black history. All that changed when we went to middle school, where the school were integrated. The fact that we live in a majority white town, that was racist didn’t make it any better.
Jewish History month is in the month of May, and so is Asian Heritage month. Hispanic Heritage month is Sept-Oct, Irish Heritage month is in March. Yet everybody regardless of race gets pissed every Februray because of Black History month. Why is that? Even if there is a emphasis placed on Black history month, if you’re a proud American what harm is it doing celebrating Black Americans? But of course everybody loves to wear green on St Patricks day. I think Black history should be considered American history and that should be learned all year around, but learning about our history needs to start at home. School will only teach you so much when you are in high school or middle school. I remember the black history lessons being very repetitive when I was in grade school. There is more to our history than Mlk, Rosa Parks and Malcom X that black children need to learn about. I still see nothing wrong with recognizing Black people that have done amazing things for this country.
African Americans emphasis on slavery and the struggle is what I’m talking about. I don’t in the slightest think that black history month isn’t relevant to black history. I’m not from the united states. But my heritage lies in the Americas and Africa. And of course living London we see African Americans all the time and I have family in the states. I agree with your last couple of sentences. And that was the basis for my comment. I never said that black history month was annoying to me. Remember slavery but let it go. Move on to other parts of your history not just American. We all know African American history but I don’t knowif I can say vice versa. The same thing happened with the Arabs and Europeans in Africa. But I don’t really get that bad vibe as I do with African Americans. Or maybe it’s the way they teach it in the states. That should change and the people should change.
Maybe you should take time to not only learn more about African American history but the history of all other black people and what happened before slavery and the movement. African American history is a small part of our very vast race and i promise you that you won’t be disappointed. I feel as if black people would be better off letting go of slavery and beyond and putting an emphasis on the struggle. It’s doing nothing good for the community. Educates yourselves on who you really are.
I am well aware of the scholars of Timbuktu, Afrika’s lost history and beyond. I know our history didn’t begin during slavery. I don’t know what you took from this post that made you think otherwise.
But Black American history is a HUGE part of THIS country and as Black Americans we should embrace who we are as a culture and the contributions that we made to this country.
I agree:)
Thank you for your response. I see everything positive with African American history however black American history Is a small part of a huge race’s history on this planet. I understand the connection you have with your American anscestry but I think Americans put way too much of a negative and ignorant emphasis on it and then it applies to every black person in the world. America has a huge influence and I just feel that you should know more about yourself as a race not just your ethnicity. I feel as though (white) America twist the story about us as people. These terms ‘slave mentality’ ‘ black people will never have nothing’, why are they here? I feel it’s because we only know the struggle not the real deal and you cannot say, as a black American, that our emphasis on slavery is damaging to our people not just in America but again all over the world. We always say when we don’t let things go it eats us inside right? This is what we are doing know in my eyes. Most African Americans don’t know how vast the black race is. Our intelligence levels, our hearts, our culture, real culture. For me it’s because America teaches everybody that black people started with the slave trade first. Not what happened before like in 536 BCE like they do with the other cultures. But a bookshop on the corner of one of the blackest areas in London England holds 100s of real history and people will walk past to the hair shop and buying weave and bleaching cream. I’m not saying African American history has no relevance in black society. I learned the strong and beautiful black women thing from your history. The way its taught and most Americans perspective on it is damaging not the history itself, if you don’t think being enslaved for 400 years would be damaging. Thanks :) p.s. This bookshop is now closed
Why is it that black people should always let go of the greatest crime known against human beings ever recorded? Like we have a “get over it already” choice. We were raped, beaten, taken from our homeland, stripped of our culture, beliefs and families. Had it NOT been for the blood and sweat from our ancestors this country would not be what it is today and neither would any other country who greatly profited off of slave labor.
The injustices visited on our people still impacts the generations today, but we must constantly defend ourselves from conscious and subconscious prejudices from people not I, but God will not let turn a blind eye. I have yet to see the world tell jewish people to get over the holocaust.
And many “movements” came from slavery and the courage of our ancestors to fight for equality that others of different races can fight and benefit from today. Black people would be better off not forgetting what we came from, the contributions and impact we’ve had on this world DESPITE what our ancestors went through and still we rise. Educate yourself on what we ignore we are doomed to repeat.
Ok, I’m talking about broadening the perspective of the community. I know my cultures and I feel like I’m educated witting the black community and I am fully aware of my surroundings. What I am trying to say is that the emphasis on slavery is too much, the term the struggle is too much. You never really hear anybody talking about what happened before slavery, or put more of an emphasis on the people that helped us through those times. I feel people fall into the ‘struggle’ category more than they compare themselves to the greats of the black RACE not just African Americans(which I’ve hardly heard anyone do).
We don’t empower anybody half the time. Our hair our skin our this our that. It’s never good enough. All this rubbish about good hair and light skin. This comes from the emphasis that is put on slavery. I feel as if slavery and the movement were neutral elements of black history people would have more time to spend on getting to really know themselves. You can’t tell me it all started in the 1500s for us.
To Ms. Shanice,
Shanice: “I feel people fall into the ‘struggle’ category more than they compare themselves to the greats of the black RACE not just African Americans (which I’ve hardly heard anyone do).”
I am, in no way going dishonor my ancestors by turning a blind eye to what was done. I am an African American and proud, and that doesn’t just go away. It’s funny how everyone else wants to tell us how to feel about the vast impact slavery has had when they come from somewhere else. That’s like saying; I know you were raped and your children sold and the women bred day in and day out—but get over it. ; I know the slave masters had a physiological plan to make you hate yourselves and scientifically broke it down through Willie lynch—but get over it. ; I know you were considered 3/5 human being and dogs were treated better then yout-but get over it; I know the blood of your people built this country from free inhumane labor that made it possible for industry, trade, and other people to come here from other countries and achieve the american dream—but get over it. Are you serious?
Shanice: “Ok, I’m talking about broadening the perspective of the community. I know my cultures and I feel like I’m educated witting the black community and I am fully aware of my surroundings.”
Huh?
Shanice: “I see everything positive with African American history however black American history Is a small part of a huge race’s history on this planet. I understand the connection you have with your American anscestry but I think Americans put way too much of a negative and ignorant emphasis on it and then it applies to every black person in the world.”
African Americans and their legacy are no small part of history. Yes, slavery was negative and ignorant, so what sort of emphasis should we put on it? Is there a more positive connotation they use in London?
Shanice: “I’m not from the united states. But my heritage lies in the Americas and Africa. And of course living London we see African Americans all the time and I have family in the states.”
And this makes you qualified to tell African Americans to get over it how? You don’t see the hypocrisy in this statement?
We all know African American history but I don’t knowif I can say vice versa.
Wow, so you know each and every African American in the world to make this judgment when many prolific authors that research our history beyond slavery are African American.
Shanice: “The same thing happened with the Arabs and Europeans in Africa. But I don’t really get that bad vibe as I do with African Americans. Or maybe it’s the way they teach it in the states. That should change and the people should change.”
Then I suggest you do some research about the disconnect from taking an entire people and cutting them off from who they are, their real names, culture, societies, homeland, language and their very being. Arabs know their culture, Europeans know their culture, Africans know their culture. If you rip the heart from a person’s chest, a deep disconnect happens, and the body shuts down. Perhaps you should work on learning more about us before you find it so prevalent to teach us what you think we should know about our own heritage. And I’m done here! Peace.
I’m not saying that you shouldnt be proud of aa history, my parent are Caribbean Latin Americans I know the impact of slavery I live it. It’s not just aa people that slavery happened to. You didn’t go through slavery, none of us new generation did. But we always act that way. Get over the negatives of our history. Let it go isn’t the right term to use. I’ve realised that but I still maintain that there should be more focus on the positives on our history. Maybe then will the mindset of black people change. Yes I am serious.
I am educated within the black community and our issues. There is WAY more to black history then African American history. African American and black are two different things. African Americans are one group of people within the black race. So aa history is just one element.
We don’t have a more positive term here in London. It’s not as blatant here but we use slavery as an excuse for our own failures and I do not appreciate that about black people at all.
We blame everything we don’t do on slavery or ‘the struggle’. I know about the disconnection of culture love. I was born in London to Cuban parents and we are 100% African. There is no hypocrisy here. I know what I am talking about I grew up in the black community and this is what I see. I know full well about your last paragraph’s points. My last name is a spaniards last name not an African. This natural hair journey movement is a prime example of what I’m talking about. The reasoning the majority of the natural hair community for making that choice comes from that negativity we have about ourselves because we only know or focus on the bad stuff about our history. That’s why I say why don’t we as a race look at the full picture not just slavery. Look at slavery if you want I don’t care I do. But I’m not going to let that be a reason why I’d fail in life. The fact that black people were treated horrendously is not going to be a reason for why I cannot excel in life. This is what I hear people say, but to the contrary. And it reals hurts my soul and boils my blood at the same it. ‘we can never have nothing’ why do we always say that when what we want is right in our face but our minds are in chains. The way we look at slavery has our minds in chains. Please remember that no matter how much I separate black culture into ethnicity and elements or whatever I will always remember the history of the united states. I will never let go like you construed my comments to express. But I would tell every other race to let go of their negative points in their history but they don’t apply their history to their current lives or the lives of another person in their racial group. Only black people do this. We have to as a people look past certain things. I’m not saying that we should turn a blind eye. I’m sorry but as I remember we flipped a whole political economical and social system to suit our own needs. Why? Because we were slaves but these people, our ancestors, fought and fought for us and won (we are now losing, we all deserve big slaps for all of their hard and unappreciated works.) that’s commendable and that’s why I will never forget slavery. But as I said I maintain that slavery should be looked at as much as the greats of your country and mine are looked at. That’s not alot but maybe that will create room space for other forms of history to consume our minds.
Here is what I am gathering from your opinions. And tell me if I’m wrong. You think that Black Americans should get over slavery and stop using it as an excuse as to why we “will never have anything”. You feel that we should get over it.
Again I see what you are getting at and I agree we shouldn’t use slavery as a scapegoat for all of our problems. I tell people that ALL the time, but it’s not as simple as you think. You are not a Black American so your experiences are different. Yes, you are Black and slavery happened in your part of the world, but there are subtle differences.
Here is what you are not getting. You said.. “There is way more to Black History than African American history.” Ok, no one is denying that. We are well aware that Black American history is not the end all be all in the history of Black people throughout the world. We know. BUT. As Black Americans, we have to FIRST develop a sense of self-worth as Black Americans before we go and start embracing all these other cultures, who are Black yes, but do not fully represent who we are. We are not a monolith. I get annoyed that people in general, on one hand tell us to be proud of who we are and on the other hand tell us to forget slavery. How do we become proud of ourselves if we forget the very thing that began our culture as Americans?
“I am educated within the black community and our issues”. Sorry, but again, we are not a monolith. Black Americans have issues that are different from Afro Latino issues and they have issues different from Black people on the continent of Africa.
I commend you, Shanice, for your passion for Black people to embrace the positive aspects of our collective histories. I agree with this sentiment. But as a Black American, Black American history and slavery in particular is a huge part of my story. To tell a Black American that Black American history is a “small part” of history is not only insulting, it’s false. It’s not about the length of time, but rather the impact it had on us and the world.
Ok Shanice I’ve read through your previous comments and though I disagree with your overall sentiment, I think I see where you are coming from. You tell us that too much is focused on the “struggle” and the “negative” and the solution is to “let it go”. While I agree that we do tend to focus a lot on the negative with respect to slavery, I don’t think the solution is to “let it go”. After all, we are Black Americans because our ancestors were brought here as slaves, so while as a race of people we didn’t start out in America, as a culture, the Black American culture, our history DOES start in America. And there Is NOTHING wrong with that. What I suggest is that we shift our thinking to a positive one with respect to slavery. And no, I am not saying that we should think that slavery was good. What I am saying is that we should focus our attention on how slavery showed us how resilient we are as a people, how strong we are, the music, the folklore, the dialect…all the things that make us a strong culture. And these things are born out of our painful, horrific beginnings in our country. I think once we can look at ourselves and see how awesome we are as a people DESPITE the fact that we were treated like animals then we will be even “awesomer” lol. So no, we should not “let go” of what happened to us all together. It is part of our history and we must acknowledge it.
I just think that all Americans should take slavery out of our ‘pop culture’, and put the put the people that fought for us in. That includes the caribbeans and Latin Americans. Because they fought for freedom from slavery also. So for me the broadness of our great history overshadows the same repetitive negativity that surrounds our history. All americans (from the continent) have done many great things and if that was the replacement for that emphasis on the negativity I feel things would be different. That’s not to mention Africa before slavery. If more people knew…. I could go on all day but I can see it being a positive thing. I just want to help. I always have. People always say no one helps. Well I want to. And it’s nice to know the opinions on here. Totally agree with that last bit. 100%. With every word. No way should we turn a blind eye. Absolutely no way. I never have. I don’t feel our history started here. That’s like me since my how family tree is in Cuba and that’s false. I feel like the history of our culture started in the americas but I don’t think anyone’s real history started in America, just culture and that’s it. Idk your culture and you are two different things to me.
I’m sorry Shanice, I stopped at the first statement of “taking slavery out of ‘pop’ culture and putting those who fought for us in.” That is such an insult to my ancestors, who were cut off from their homelands, families, and cultures, labored in fields, were raped (men and women) birthed children only to be separated from them, and through it all survived so that I and other African Americans could be here. They very much did fight for us and without them I would not be here.
You say you are not from the US, so that means you do not have first hand knowledge of the American educational system, and yes it is very US centric, but white people learn about the ancient romans, and greeks, and byzantine empire, and Alexander the Great, etc. We learn our history started with slavery. This is very deliberate on the part of white supremacy to make Black Americans think our histories are no more than slaves and that we were born lesser than. But even in slavery there were so many acts of resistance. Hell, just refraining from killing oneself was an act of rebellion for our ancestors (as many did). Furthermore, we NEVER here about the institution of slavery from the part of those who lived it–and those stories are written down and told. Our ancestors passed many things down to us–all from the way we dance, to the music we make, and how we celebrate religion, were given to us by our ancestors who kept what they could. But we don’t learn that in schools, so yes we have a right to demand or be angry that our schools are basically telling us we are nothing more than subservient people, whose only role in history was working the field for white people. I will never forget my ancestors who labored in the fields in the US, the Caribbean, Brazil, and other parts of the world and I want others to stop telling us to “get over it” b/c is extremely disrespectful.
Lastly, I want to say I understand and completely agree with the other parts of your argument. Our history did not start with slavery, and no it did not just occur here in the US. I want to learn more about this, and enjoy making connections between African American culture, diasporan cultures, and Black culture, as a whole. I enjoy seeing similar dances that are performed in western Africa, in the streets of NYC or any other city with Black Americans in the US. It shows me that my ancestors did well in passing down what they could, even if we couldn’t keep the exact culture or traditions. We are very much connected and I am learning this and plan on passing it down to my future children. But, please do not tell someone to “get over” slavery, b/c it’s the same thing that many white people say when they are trying to blame Black Americans for societal problems or when the issue of slavery is mentioned.
Shanice I am from London and my parents are from the Caribbean. I feel you are very naive when talking about slavery. Don’t forget the Arabs enslaved us also. So slavery is a bigger chunk of our history than you give it credit for. Also, a lot of the stereotypes that blacks face whether in Europe or the Americas etc come from slavery. We are constantly fighting these stereotypes that is why we should not forget slavery. Would you ask Jews to forget the Holocaust or the Pogroms? Or the Irish to forget the potato famine or the struggle against the English. I don’t think so. We need to accentuate the positive, but not forget the negative as history is the ultimate lesson and a valuable to teacher to explain present as well as the past.
Hey, my parents are Cubans. I’m not naive at all. This has been a fresh opinion of mine for sometime and don’t really know how to express it as I agree with most obligations to my comments on this page, including yours. I know already that Africans were enslaved by Arabs. African people don’t really apply the Arabic slave trade to their lives like people in the western hemisphere do, namely the americas. If these things come from slavery why do black people always embrace that then. Again applying things that come from slavery to our lives, why? Oh yeah, if you did not submit to Islam then you were enslaved. Not all African were enslaved only the ones that didn’t submit(Arab slave trade) I would ask all other races to “get over it” but they aren’t taking the negative points of their history as all they are. Look how rich Jews are and how culturally content they are. Then look at black people And we went through similar things. I’m sorry Jews don’t look at the holocaust they way we look at slavery. Your last point is exactly my point. Take slavery off of the pedestal and put the people that helped us to live a better life. On the other hand a lot of people will feel WAY MORE EMPOWERED if they knew about ancient African history, pre slavery history etc. People will have a 100% positive perspective on themselves and our race. You might not get as much ‘that’s why black people ain’t shit’ talk from black people if this happened, but that’s just my opinion. Thanks. :)
Of course we should have more then a month, but you’d be surprised at how many young people are caught in an ever widening divide when it comes to our culture and history. I have nothing against black history month, the lack thereof of history by our people being taught the eleven other months of year is my problem. Let’s not count the 500 years we’ve already been here and the major accomplishments we’ve achieved in this country.
Only 300,000 and some change slaves were exported to America and yet our style and culture have influenced an entire world through the face adversity. Our language, music, rhythm, and culture are such a part of world life, yet once again we find ourselves pushed to the side when it’s being recycled and redistributed by others. You go to a Step-Up movie and all you see is and rarely is the foundation that the genre was built is included. The industry has watered down hip-hop and rap music where it’s just something to get down to at the club, a white singer from Britain can make black soul music and get every award known to man in the span of a short career while legends have never attained such accolades in the span of 30+ years–and that’s just one example.
I live in Oakland CA, and I’ve known at the hands of many races. I can still remember when a Korean woman sneered at me when I was 7 years old and asked me “What do you want from my store girl?” when I went to buy a pickle. Or the Italian woman from next door who called me a little N****r B**ch when my bike grazed the line of her lawn when I was 5. But it did teach me to have a thick skin.
Yet I still bristle at people who tell me racism is prevalent because I choose to give in to it. BS! I just pray that the struggle our parents and ancestors went through during the day will not be forgotten, and that we teach our young people that black greatness goes beyond these shores and has spanned ages from the soils of Africa to the Antarctic glaciers. There’s nothing wrong with loving who we are and taking credit for what we’ve done and contributed not just North America, but the entire world.
I have heard people say the same…racism is prevalent only because one chooses to give in to it. This is the furthest from the truth. Racism stems from the thinking and actions of racist people. I choose not to dwell on it but everyone must realize we still live in a very racist world. Our goal as a people should be education, forgiveness and unity. *sighs* Maybe one day…
Absolutely! We only have to look at the 2012 election and the voter surpression all over the country not just the south. All battleground states had some kind of law to disenfranchise blacks.. the struggle continues.
Yup!
You know I used to think the same way about black history month until I read Mirgan Freeman’s opinion on it. He stated that Black History month is ridiculous, not only is it racist but it is degrading. He spoke that we are being separated from Americans. The black community has made many accomplishments including a large portion that is apart of American history and to be condensed only to a month to celebrate the vast achievements we have accomplished is downright disrespectful. There is no Jewish Anerican history month or White history month for that matter and for our race to be pointed out as if we’ve done a small portion that should be celebrated in this month is total BS. I do not take away from the many people who appreciate this month but as you stated there are blacks today paving ways for us and adding to history. Are you telling me America should look at them only in the month of February. We don’t need a title to be recognized our achievements stand alone and speak for themselves as we reach for the stars. I’m a fifteen year old black girl and I feel that our achievements exceed a month, as a matter of fact a year. Love you Chime❤
I agree Jasmine. I feel that our history should be incorporated into the American history books but because it hasn’t been Black History Month is the only way most Black children will ever learn about the accomplishments of our people. We must make an effort year ’round to speak about Black History and take the steps necessary to have it become a part of the school curriculum year ’round.
Completely agree, it’s just sad that we’ve accepted the state we are in. If an actor who is constantly around the world of discrimination can see it why can’t the common people who are being affected the most see it. I love my people and I will never forget our rich roots I just want to fight that they be nationally known all year not just confined to February. I appreciate you understanding. Love ya!
oooh chime I just had a heated battle with a white man who said ” Black history month is finally over.” Girl everyone was going back and fourth but I had to take the high road smh
Girl I know you were heated! But honestly some people just don’t understand why we have a designated month. Even some Black people…
I never understood why Black History Month is utterly so bothersome to *certain* people. I feel like some nonblack people have this intense inner hatred of Black people to the extent where hearing ANYTHING about positive Black history, people, and accomplishments makes their skin crawl. There is Spanish American History Month, Irish American History Month, Asian American History Month, Jewish American History Month, Native Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc. yet people get riled up and hate on the ONE month that is ours.