February 1, 2010
Black History Month has always troubled me. Blacks have contributed so much to the world that it hardly seems fair to relegate our history to the shortest month of the year. Black history is American history. The two are forever intertwined.
However, I have since come to realize that all of our accomplishments would go unnoticed if not for Black History Month. We must celebrate it and make it much more than a rehash of the Civil Rights Movement or a time for kids to write reports about George Washington Carver. Our history is important and we must treat it as such.
Since Barack Obama was elected President, people love to say that we live in a post-racial society. I disagree. Race still matters in America and the election of a black man is not going to change that any time soon. Just talk to Jordan Miles and you will quickly agree.
When Carter G. Woodson created Negro History week in 1926, he truly hoped that America would get to the point when celebrating Negro history would be irrelevant. However, he was wise enough to know the importance of celebrating our history and culture until that day arrived.
A comedian once said that Black History Month was something that white people feel guilty about and Black people ignore. We can no longer afford to ignore it.
Carter G. Woodson Photo from www.blackpast.org
Today in America, blacks have a net worth 10 times less than that of whites. Our children have the lowest scores on standardized tests. Our communities are riddled with poverty, crime and despair.
But there was a time in our history when our communities were safe, entrepreneurs thrived, and children were expected to excel in their studies (even if they had to use books that were discarded by white schools).
There was a time in our history when we proclaimed, “I’m black and I’m proud!”
There was a time in our history when we were bursting with intellectualism and creativity.
There was a time in our history when being a thug was looked down upon.
We must revisit those times and figure out how we can recreate them. Black people have a history of excellence. That’s the kind of history that we must preserve.
Blessings,
F.J. Goodall, Editor
Follow Soul Portrait on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/soulportrait
