The Relevance in 2008

Black History Month began as the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson in 1926. It actually began as Negro History Week, and coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. For several decades the Month of February held great importance amongst American citizens. It was perhaps the only time that Americans paused to take note of the contributions of African-Americans to the United States of America, with perhaps the exception of MLK Day in January since 1981. However, in this new millennium it seems to me that the significance of Black History Month has diminished to the general public. So I pose the question to myself, “what is the relevance of Black History Month in 2008?”

To demonstrate my point, just ask yourself how many forums, discussions, or Black History Month events you participated in last month. My point exactly!

It’s likely that many factors contribute to my perceived loss of importance of Black History Month. To begin, as a result of observances like Black History Month (BHM), MLK Day, the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s, etc., the level of awareness about Black people and their contributions to history has been increased (although it’s not what it should be, in my opinion). Likewise, the overt racism of decades past has been greatly diminished. Without a doubt these realities have given the impression to some that BHM is no longer necessary.

But there are other factors, namely the emergence of awareness about other minority groups like Native Americans and Latino Americans, each with their own space on the calendar set aside to honor their peoples, cultures and contributions. Furthermore, time, dates and months have been set aside for causes like Breast Cancer Awareness in October. In fact, it is practically impossible to keep up with all the “days” that represent a group of people or causes on the calendar. Like, did you know that April 23^rd of this year is “Administrative Professionals Day?”

Finally, I think the fact that Black people as a collective have lost their position as the largest racial minority in America to Latinos plays a role. Although the Civil Rights’ Movement, as Martin Luther King Jr. saw it, was for everyone who was disenfranchised, the Black community was the focus of it for myriad factors, but also because they represented the largest minority group at the time. With the emergence of the growing Latino population, as well as the steady growth of several others, the need for awareness about those groups amongst the general population is more apparent now. Therefore, the focus on BHM specifically has been parsed.

And I should say that I’m totally for raising awareness about all groups.

So I guess I’m left with the question about what the point of BHM should be in the years ahead. I don’t think that the focus of BHM should be about how brutal and cruel previous generations of (White) people were to Black people, but it should be about understanding the origins of how ignorance and blind hatred of a person/people could lead to such inhumane behavior.

In conjunction, I think BHM should focus on dispelling many of the age old misconceptions about Black people. Not all Black people are criminals, violent, academically inferior, or economically incompetent (I feel so silly mentioning such things, but believe it or not, a lot of people still hold such sentiments).

Lastly, I think BHM should continue pointing out the many areas where Black people have contributed mightily to this country. When I was in grade school, the only time the contributions of Black people to America were highlighted was during BHM. That should not be the case. Black people (as well as Women, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, Homosexuals, etc.) have made essential, undeniable contributions to this nation, and the history that we are taught should reflect this reality.

In short, reflection, understanding, awareness, and a positive future outlook should be the foundation of Black History Month and all other months wishing to honor groups that have otherwise been left out of the history of the USA.

-Maelstrom