February is Black History month, and it presents an educational opportunity that can aid us in closing the great racial divide between blacks and whites.
Designating February as Black History month is the nation’s attempt to correct its lack of acknowledgement and treatment of African-Americans in the normal annals of America’s history. While it is a good remedial effort, the month-long recognition is not enough within itself.
The best solution will occur only when it is no longer necessary to set aside a month to note the significant achievements of a particular race or ethnic group. A time when the rewriting of new editions of the history books reflect a truly accurate historical account of advances in the arts, sciences, politics, business, and every other subject area where Americans, irrespective of their race, ethnic or religious origins, contributed with distinction.
However, until that time, it is incumbent on all of us to continue to do what is necessary to not only set the record straight, but also foster the kind of dialogue to further enlighten us, and more importantly, our children.
Although we have made great progress, we still have many areas where we must seek further enlightenment to improve our understanding of each other. Nevertheless, too often, rather than explore some of those areas – albeit many of them uncomfortable and disconcerting – we are far more comfortable allowing a label or stereotypical view to be the prism through which we see each other. Even worse, we tend to apply those views to an entire race of people.
Since the mid-term elections will occur this year and the Republicans and Democrats are already in a fierce battle to keep or gain legislative seats, it might be a good time to reflect and gain a better understanding of our two-party system of government. A lack of understanding of our true political history could forever keep up in the dark.
Take the prevalent view that most blacks are more liberal than conservative and therefore are, or should, belong to the Democratic Party rather than the Republican Party. Along with that view are other philosophical assumptions that come into play. On the individual level, there is a prevalent belief that most blacks believe in big government programs rather than economic self-sufficiency. On the organizational level, there is the belief that the Democratic Party is more inclusive, empathetic and supportive of the needs and interests of blacks than the Republican Party.
No doubt, just those two notions alone could stir heated debate in many circles. However, past and recent history could provide interesting facts to engage the discussion. For example, did you know, that following the Civil War and during Reconstruction, blacks were very active in Republican Party politics and served in almost every level of government?
For more than a decade, blacks held offices from the United States Congress – there were two senators and fourteen representatives – to state legislatures, city councils and county commissions. Blacks held more offices in the Deep South than any place else. Throughout that period, these remarkable individuals held the majority in the House of Representatives for the state of South Carolina. A state that is remembered today for having vehemently fought to continue to fly the confederate flag atop its capitol, and having a representative of this state make history by calling President Barrack Obama a liar during an address to Congress for all the world to hear.
Many of these historical political advances for blacks were a direct result of the Abolitionist Movement. One of its strongest and most effective leaders was Frederick Douglass, a black man, who remained a staunch Republican all of his life. Douglass, described as an indefatigable journalist, and influential orator in great demand, held a number of positions in the national government.
Since that period, there have not been two black US senators simultaneously serving in either party, and blacks certainly do not form a majority in any state’s legislature. The reasons are subjects whose treatment could fill much more space than is available here. Nevertheless, the discussion is certainly worth having by civic-minded blacks and whites interested in making a two-party system work better for all groups.
More importantly, such a discussion could go a long way to dispel some myths that are at a minimum negatively compromising, if not downright regressive, in the century-old quest for blacks to exercise their political power and influence to advance their interest just like other ethnic groups.
Some good results could emerge. Among them, the realization that blacks, like whites, are both liberal and conservative; most blacks would prefer a meaningful wage-earning job than welfare; and we all share the same loathsome regard for paying excessive taxes.
However, perhaps the greatest realization of all would be for more blacks and whites to recognize the importance of participating in a significant way in both parties to affect those issues that are important to them on an ongoing basis.
If that were the case, neither party would take such a large voting constituency for granted or totally ignore it during election time. Moreover, irrespective of what party is in power, blacks, like Hispanics, Jews and other ethnic groups, could have a significant number of seats at the legislative tables.
Frederick Douglass and the Reconstruction era taught us that.
Comments
It was interesting to read
It was interesting to read that African-Americans had been actively and largely represented in the Republican party during Reconstruction. Facts and stories like that should be more widespread because most people know about the bog picture of African-American history. This is important but I think with unknown facts like revealed in this article people gain learn even more information. It is something new to think about within the context already known and this is, as always emphasized, aimed.
If members of diverse ethnic groups could win "a significant number of seats", it would contribute constructively to "close the racial divide".
As February is the African-American history month, focus should lie on how to widespread history that is not as known as what is taught in school. Through newspapers and other media as well as schools and other public institutions, people can be informed and provoked to think about what happened in the past as well as about how to close the racial gap that still exists in the American society.
I absolutely agree with the
I absolutely agree with the above comment. Ever since i can remember, in my school when it was black history month, we only took one day out of the month to talk about African-American history, which i thought was odd, because it seemed like the new was talking more about it than school, and i think it should be talked about more.
Yeah, I remember that Black
Yeah, I remember that Black History Month was mentioned, but we never really did anything with it. We might have learned a little more about Martin Luther King, Jr., but there was a lot more there that could have been said about other people.
In comparison to other
In comparison to other significant months, like that of breast cancer awareness month, black history month is somewhat irrelevant. Breast Cancer Awareness month is utilized to absorb funds and raise money to further cancer research, but what does black history month accomplish? A flashback into the past? The United States is a country founded on innovation. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc. have created the backbone of our nation and it makes no sense to have a whole month looking back to prior events when we could have a whole month dedicated to further innovation.
In comparison to other
In comparison to other significant months, like that of breast cancer awareness month, black history month is somewhat irrelevant. Breast Cancer Awareness month is utilized to absorb funds and raise money to further cancer research, but what does black history month accomplish? A flashback into the past? The United States is a country founded on innovation. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc. have created the backbone of our nation and it makes no sense to have a whole month looking back to prior events when we could have a whole month dedicated to further innovation.
Again, people are aiming to
Again, people are aiming to get rid of stereotypical thought processes. While this may be the ideal, it is impossible. People will always think in stereotypes. Most people don't have the time, or the interest, to learn the amount about every other culture needed to rid themselves of stereotypical thought.
On another note, if it is equality for all people we are aiming for, why not dedicate different months to various other cultures. Americans have mistreated other ethnic groups besides African-Americans, especially when there was mass migrations from other countries.
i agree that although we may
i agree that although we may try to get rid of prejudice and racism it is impossible. americans have been taught this mind set for generations so therefore it has been past down for generations and will continue to do so. we cannot control what all is taught to other people's children. we can only control what we teach our own children and with that maybe racism will dwindle out enough for minorities to not be discriminated against. as well as that thought i also agree with dedication to different months. just because any one race wasnt outwardly discrimated against doesnt mean that it doesnt deserve to be recognized.
Segregation
I agree, though rather than attributing a simple month too learning about the different cultures why don't we just eliminate the process in general. As a comment further down had indicated it very well creates a divide in-between us and potentially allows us to become more racist. I then indicated something similar to your thoughts in that there are plenty of different cultures and races that deserve similar respects. We should give help to those who actually need it verses attributing help with a specific race and observe the achievements of all cultures daily and monthly as there are great people from all walks of life.
diversity month
It was interesting to know a little bit more about African-American history.
However, I believe that it should not be treated as a separate topic to be learned; African-American history should definately be included in the general American history, because it is part of it and it has definately contributed to the current culture existent today in America.
I am from another country and at school we study not only our own history, but we also learn about the history of other countries in different parts of the world. And all the ethnic groups' history are considered as part of our own country, because it happened in the territory, without any segregation. We also had lots of imigrants coming from different other countries, specially from Africa, Europe and Asia, and all their history is included and taught at schools.
I am not against the acknowledgement of other ethnic groups history, but I believe that what should be really celebrated and enlightened is this unique diversity of cultures we have here - and that should have its own aside month.
I agree with your view that
I agree with your view that the history of African-Americans should not be treated as a separate topic to be learn but to be put in general history because as we still but that history to remain independently is thee other way to divide that these people did this and the other people did the other so I think it is better also to generalize and put as the contributions of Americans towards their country. I think it could be better enough.
I agree with your view that
I agree with your view that the history of African-Americans should not be treated as a separate topic to be learn but to be put in general history because as we still but that history to remain independently is thee other way to divide that these people did this and the other people did the other so I think it is better also to generalize and put as the contributions of Americans towards their country. I think it could be better enough.
So interesting
Thank you so much for sharing about your country's historical education process. I think education has such a significant impact on developing social attitudes. I love the idea of appreciating other cultures in the history of a country.
I also agree, we should learn
I also agree, we should learn about not only about African American history, but others cultures as well. In my opinion I believe everyone should be celebrated and not broken down or given a certain month. I find that African American history should be involved in general history and not singled out any longer. We are all living in the same country and need to learn to respect other cultures besides our own. By adding different cultures to general history courses I believe this will lower racism to an extent, because no one is celebrated separately
I think it is more important
I think it is more important also to appreciate the Africans-Americans contribution towards America not only in one month but all the time as it can be possible. Due to the great role they played for this country through different aspect as we see in arts,science,politics as well as business. All of these became can be helpful not only in close the racial divide but also to eliminate the racial divide
I agree
I agree that teaching both histories, side by side, could impact the social prejudices built into educational institutions.
Couldn't agree more. There's
Couldn't agree more. There's almost a segregation of blacks and whites in history books. Whenever February would hit in elementary school was when I would learn about black Americans and their contributions to our nation. Which honestly did not seem like much at the time considering it was like one week out of that month we would touch on it.
I learned so much!
This is a very interesting article. I learned so much about black political history in such a short article. This made me question why black history is not addressed more in elementary and high school education. I agree that textbooks do not reflect an accurate history of America. Changing the content of history education seems like a promising way to promote a paradigm shift in American society, especially for the upcoming generations. Additionally, I questioned why black history is separate from white history. Recognizing both histories as equally important and teaching them without distinction may also encourage a change in outlook for the overall history in America. This could be the start of a new view of race in the US.
While teaching black history
While teaching black history and white history side-by-side may be very beneficial, we have to remember that there are other parts of American history that are also important to teach as well. Most history classes on American history don't have enough time to cover all of American history and go into a whole lot of detail on specifically black history. It would have to be a separate course focused on that part of our history.
Black History Month
I think that if news stations and schools just had one interesting fact or one little piece of information each day about African-American history that would really educate people. It doesn't have to be a really long news story or lesson, just one interesting fact that people may not know. So many people watch the news and all children go to school. So everyone would be learning a little about the history and it wouldn't bore them or take too much time out of their day. I think many people would learn a lot from one interesting fact a day.
I didn't know any of those
I didn't know any of those facts mentioned in the article. I, like many of my peers, were only taught or told very few things during black history month. I can also remember only taking a few days or less to talk about African American history, and even then it was always focused on the mainstream popular topics. February is supposed to be Black History MONTH. Not week, and not day, I believe that these schools should start teaching such things as what was mentioned in the article. If it weren't for reading that, I would never have known such facts.
Yes, school should start to
Yes, school should start to cover African American history throughout February. Additionally, this does not have to be limited to history lessons but could be taught interdisciplinary. This way more can history can be taught and more stories can be covered.
Black History Year
Why should we limit our knowledge of black history to one month? I think it is appropriate to teach about all year long.
I agree that it should be
I agree that it should be taught all year long, but I do like the one month that is set aside and devoted to learning about black history. The students and teachers can focus more on the history during that month and everything else the rest of the year.
Yeah I guess we might forget
Yeah I guess we might forget to discuss it if we didn't have a yearly reminder
You are right then, because
You are right then, because the contribution which these people did to America was big enough, and to make only a month to remember black history I do not think if it is suppose to be that way. And if nothing can change that I think within that month should be used effectively to appreciate what our fellow did to America.
You are right then, because
You are right then, because the contribution which these people did to America was big enough, and to make only a month to remember black history I do not think if it is suppose to be that way. And if nothing can change that I think within that month should be used effectively to appreciate what our fellow did to America.
You are right then, because
You are right then, because the contribution which these people did to America was big enough, and to make only a month to remember black history I do not think if it is suppose to be that way. And if nothing can change that I think within that month should be used effectively to appreciate what our fellow did to America.
Black History Month
I agree with many things in this article, but on thing specifically. That is, what the author said about Black History Month. I realize the initial intention, to reflect on the history of blacks in our community, was a good one, but also see a downside to dedicating one month to African Americans. I will present the downside in a question: what about the other months? Is the idea of Black History Month to spend one month appreciating blacks, and the other eleven months celebrating white power? I wondered if I was the only person that felt this way so I asked a friend in a conversation about Black History Month, when is White History Month? She responded with the answer I assumed she would: all the other eleven months. I'm not sure whether or not I am for or against Black History Month. What do you think?
that is a good point... and
that is a good point... and it proves that putting a month aside dedicated to black history only reinforces segregation, not only knowledge.
A BIG problem
I think that all of those facts are really interesting. The problem I have with black history month is the fact that it is in a sense encouraging people that there is only a certain time to pay our respects to people of different race. The holiday itself is in a sense teaching people to be racist. Plus why must we save just one month to recognize the important people of the African-American race. We should be respecting them and paying them their dues for all that they have done in every month and not just one month. I think the intent of this month is for the right reason but in my opinion it is actually encouraging attitudes that are completely against the intent of black history month.
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