"Black History Month."

[McBell]

Is it just me, or is that extremely racist? The idea of having to have a seperate month for the history of a certain race? Why not just put all of the history together and call it history? If we don't, we are going to need a Hispanic History Month, an Asian History Month, an English History Month, and so on... I thought a long time ago this country figured seperate but equal wasn't equal, so why is our history seprated based on race?

About Black History Month - Biography.com

I find Black History Month to be a chance to learn about the parts of history that with out Black History Month would have been left out of history entirely.

 

[McBell]

Allocating certain days or months to certain things kinda irritates me. I do think history should just be history...celebrated as one thing, but oh well.

I could agree with that if all of history was included.
However, back before Negro History Week started in 1926 "history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time."Source

 

[cardero]

Is it just me, or is that extremely racist? The idea of having to have a seperate month for the history of a certain race? Why not just put all of the history together and call it history? If we don't, we are going to need a Hispanic History Month, an Asian History Month, an English History Month, and so on...

Don't forget the Greys. From what I understand even aliens have a history. They should have their own month. I would like to nominate April.

 

[Father Heathen]

I would love to comment on Black History Month, but in doing so I would be called a racist.

Don't worry about that and just speak your mind. I want to hear your thoughts.

 

[McBell]

My apologies.
Seems to me, after reading my previous posts, that I did not actually address the issue of the OP.

Is it just me, or is that extremely racist?

How in the world is it racist?
A black man starts a project to let those who want to learn about parts of history that were left out/forgotten/ignored (take your pick) of the history books and it turns into a huge trend and you think it racist?

The idea of having to have a seperate month for the history of a certain race?

Who has done this?
No school I have ever been in (and I have been in quite a few) has stopped teaching "white" history during the month of February.

Why not just put all of the history together and call it history?

Because back in 1926 when the predecessor of Black History Month began, Blacks were being left out of the history books for the most part and on the rare occasions that a history book did mention a black person, they were portrayed as less than human.

If we don't, we are going to need a Hispanic History Month, an Asian History Month, an English History Month, and so on...

Then start whatever history month you like.
Perhaps it will catch on like Black History Month.

I thought a long time ago this country figured seperate but equal wasn't equal, so why is our history seprated based on race?

You seem to be under the misunderstanding that this Black History Month is some how "official" and or "mandatory". It is neither.

 

[Inky]

Black History Month is there to balance out the fact that history courses usually devote a disproportionate amount of time to the history of western Europe and its diaspora. I would be all for a Hispanic History Month, but having a White History Month would be redundant. We already have eleven of them, essentially.

 

[stacey bo bacey]

I could agree with that if all of history was included.
However, back before Negro History Week started in 1926 "history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time."Source

I think history classes are doing a great job these days devoting plenty of time to all races. I learned about several different cultures/races and their contributions in high school. (Er..cept don't ask me what I learned because I don't remember anything, really. even the "white" part of it ). A large chunk of my reading for 11th grade was black literature. Black History Month is just another outdated sentiment, in my ever so humble opinion. Time to move on, folks!

 

[whereismynotecard]

My apologies.
Seems to me, after reading my previous posts, that I did not actually address the issue of the OP.


How in the world is it racist?
A black man starts a project to let those who want to learn about parts of history that were left out/forgotten/ignored (take your pick) of the history books and it turns into a huge trend and you think it racist?


Who has done this?
No school I have ever been in (and I have been in quite a few) has stopped teaching "white" history during the month of February.


Because back in 1926 when the predecessor of Black History Month began, Blacks were being left out of the history books for the most part and on the rare occasions that a history book did mention a black person, they were portrayed as less than human.


Then start whatever history month you like.
Perhaps it will catch on like Black History Month.


You seem to be under the misunderstanding that this Black History Month is some how "official" and or "mandatory". It is neither.

It isn't 1926 any more. I think we should include any important history about any race in history classes and not have a separate month for black history. The Japanese were treated very unfairly after pearl harbor... do they have a Japanese History month? What about a Native American history month? Ever since this crap country "began" the native people have been getting screwed over. I don't think we ever had a Native American History month when I was in grade school.

I find it racist, because it is separating black history from the rest of history. If we all want everyone to be treated equally, we can't let certain "races" have their own history month dedicated to them. If we can't do it for everyone, we shouldn't do it for anyone.

 

[kai]

so its U S black history then ? it would be a massive undertaking indeed if it were truly "black history month" trying to cram all that into one month.

 

[Stellify]

I get what you're saying, whereismynotecard. Especially in regards to the idea that we should integrate black history into "normal" history lessons enough that it shouldn't need its own month just to get the point across.

At the same time, I always viewed things like black history month and women's history, etc....More like a celebration of the fact that we as a country have been, and are continuing to, move past the unfairness we imposed upon groups in the past. The fact that a big part of education is involved in the "celebrations" can sometimes be disruptive to high school classes, IMO (at least they were in my high school), but at least some amount of education did help bring an understanding to students as to WHY there was a holiday for it, and HOW we got where we are now. It helps celebrate the many different individuals that were involved in those movements, instead of just one or two.

To me, it's comparable to Presidents' Day, or the Fourth of July. Just another way to show appreciation for the few steps forward we have taken in our time as a nation

Although I, personally, think it would be really cool if we had other special history days or months...I would have loved learning about that kind of stuff back in high school!


EDIT:
Sorry kai. Yes, US black history.

 

[kai]

cheers Stellify ,i tend to agree with, w i m n c, here , i take it history lessons already cover the role of Blacks in US History as well as Native Americans , Immigrants such as Irish, Chinese etc etc , I cant believe its left out , i see the purpose of it years ago ,so what is the purpose of it now?


In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Rev. Jesse E. Moorland co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Their goal was to research and bring awareness to the largely ignored, yet crucial role black people played in American and world history. The following year, Woodson published and distributed his findings in The Journal of Negro History. He founded the publication with the hope that it would dispel popular mistruths. He also hoped to educate black people about their cultural background and instill them with a sense of pride in their race.

About Black History Month - Biography.com

are these reasons still relevant then ?

 

[gnomon]

Who is being forced or required to do anything this month?

 

[DallasApple]

Who is being forced or required to do anything this month?

I know Im not.I didn't even know it was black history month.I knew it was presidents day yesterday though.Because schools were closed down and we got no mail and the banks were closed.

I just dont know why anyone would begrudge black history month.

Love

Dallas

 

[DallasApple]

Oh and I will add..if Im 'begrudged" this month its over Valentines day.Another day "marked" that you feel pressured to go out and buy something or "do something" on one particular day or you are looked at like an arse hole.

Love

Dallas

 

[ayani]

I guess the world just sucks and it's going to keep sucking then. At least I've got my grapefruit juice.

well... yes, thank heavens for tangy citrus fluids.

 

[DallasApple]

Presidents have an HONOR. Black people were born black. Just as while people were born white, etc. They didn't do anything special.

I beg to differ.In this country they did.And yes they were "born black" and because of that they were considered less as a people.How they climbed out of that...how they fought to be treated as human beings in this country is "something special" to me.

Love

Dallas

 

[DallasApple]

I agree. I am very proud of being white. From now on I don't want to be afraid or ashamed to say it, like I have always been. I friggin' love being white! I can tan and I have awesome hair.

Allocating certain days or months to certain things kinda irritates me. I do think history should just be history...celebrated as one thing, but oh well.

Thats the thing Stacey..Black pride doesnt = white shame.

Sometimes I feel ashamed to be a member of the human race because of what some humans are capable of.But then I am proud to be a member of the human race because of what some humans are capable of.

But Im not ever "ashamed" to be "white".As you stated that is just how I was born.I do not feel superior..I do not feel inferior because of my race.

Love

Dallas

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Is it just me, or is that extremely racist? The idea of having to have a seperate month for the history of a certain race? Why not just put all of the history together and call it history? If we don't, we are going to need a Hispanic History Month, an Asian History Month, an English History Month, and so on... I thought a long time ago this country figured seperate but equal wasn't equal, so why is our history seprated based on race?

We already have a White History Month. The days are just spread out through the year:

- Robbie Burns Day
- St. Patrick's Day
- Bastille Day
- Columbus Day
- etc., etc.

 

[DallasApple]

The Japanese were treated very unfairly after pearl harbor... do they have a Japanese History month?

Also I agree with this.If the Japanese want a rememberance and history month they should pick a month and call it that.And then start educating people.

But I wouldnt exactly compare how the Japanese were treated after Pearl Harbor..to black Africans being kidnapped from their native land and dragged over here in chains and beign auctioned off like cattle to be owned by another human all the while "encouraged" to "breed" so the master became wealthier with his slave stock.Then they were finally 'set free" with unequal rights and doomed to extreme poverty and descrimination.When they complained(the generations later)..they were told to "go back to where you came from".To bad the masters didnt bother to keep records.So they would even KNOW exactly where they came from.(originally).Even though the generations fighing for equal rights in fact were LIVING where they "came from.Right here in America.

Nevermind.

Love

Dallas

 

[DallasApple]

We already have a White History Month. The days are just spread out through the year:

- Robbie Burns Day
- St. Patrick's Day
- Bastille Day
- Columbus Day
- etc., etc.

Here you go..a white pride group to go with that.They wish to keep the "history " alive.

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Connecticut


Love

Dallas