As we commence — yet again — to celebrate black history month, it might serve us well to pause and put a few things in perspective if we ever hope to achieve a society where there will be no need for a black history month. When we will no longer need to have a special designation to celebrate the contributions of any race or ethnic group.
But rather, we will have arrived at a point where we chronicle and commemorate the contributions of all Americans in the same history books. We pass on to our families around the dinner table the rich, diverse, and complete American story — in all of its shame, its beauty, and its glory.
Sadly, that day is not today. So we must prod on.
But how can we ever expect to make a real change in how we perceive, understand, and relate to each other if we are not willing to look at where we are today and the reasons why we are there. That will require an open mind and some painful admissions on all of our parts about the American family unit — both black and white.
The black and white family’s journey has been different. One of privilege. The other of paucity. One family has typically emerged out of a history where the presence of both parents has been valued and promulgated; the other family from an institution of slavery that raped and destroyed the family unit, separating mother and father, mother and child. One family has been able to move within society with what appears to be automatic acceptance; the other constantly facing rejection either blatantly or subtly.
One family is afforded a certain level of economic prosperity; the other often denied, limited, or trapped in a perpetual cycle of poverty. One family is exposed and provided the highest quality of educational training; the other subjected to sub-standard learning environments. One family lives in a neighborhood absent of blight and crime, the other constantly plagued by it.
And yet, we wonder why.
Black folks wonder why some white teenagers from wealthy and not-so wealthy neighborhoods choose to build bombs and go on shooting rampages, and kill fellow classmates, teachers, and family members. White folks wonder why some black teenagers would rather sell drugs, shoot a fellow teenager for money or a jacket, and rob the elderly.
Black folks wonder why any able
-bodied white person needs to be on welfare when they have an easier time getting gainfully employed than their black counterparts. White folks think there are more able-bodied black folks getting a free ride on the welfare rolls than there are whites.
Black folks think affirmative action and set-asides are needed to level the playing field. White folks think such measures are reversed discrimination.
And there are those black and white folks who think none of the above. They understand that we all are the sum total of our experience and that begins and is shaped by the family unit of which we are a part. They have immovable faith in the human will and spirit to overcome adversity and impoverished conditions. They fervently believe that some day race will not define how we see each other, or how well we work to build stronger families for a better America through better education, gainful employment, quality housing, good neighborhoods, and other supportive services. Through the transmission of good values.
There are black folks and white folks who recognize that the family unit holds the key. It must be strong. It must be healthy.
Irrespective of the situations in which we find ourselves — some we share as black and white families other we don’t — they did not come about overnight. Our children, and their actions, good or bad, represent the culmination of values, beliefs, practices, and conditions passed from one generation to another.
The American family unit — black or white — in all its forms is at a precarious time in its history. While some have been blessed with privilege, and others plagued and imperiled by paucity, promoting the health and well being of all families, ultimately, holds the cure. We no longer need to wonder why.
What do you think?
Comments
Family Dynamics
After reading this article, I have a better understanding of the different points of view that the blacks and whites have towards each other. I believe that most opinions of young adults today have to do with the background and community that they grew up in. I do believe that having a month dedicated to the black race defeats the purpose of trying to unify our society. Like the article stated, it should be a month of celebration to look on how far we have come as whole, not as a race. I also believe that the root of most issues, black and white, have to do with the family unit. The way you are raised and brought up plays a big role in how you act and the things you become involved in when you grow older. Color has nothing to do with raising your children correctly, it is common knowledge. Family dynamics is something our society needs to focus on to help the community be more involved with one another.
It seems that when you look
It seems that when you look at the views and the perceptions that racial blacks and whites give to each other they seem to be playing the blame game. Yes I know if you took a statistical analysis of our culture it is easy to see that white America definitely has some severe advantages over the minorities in this country but I like how this article brings in back to family. We are who we are as people because of the family we grew up in whether it was good or it was bad. We are not going to be able to change the views of our society in one generation but if we bring up a new generation that believes in hard work, fair and equal treatment, and the understanding that things in life just are not given too a person, that could ultimately have a positive change to the way that people look at each other. It would not be about race it would be about character. What brought a person to the place they are today. Instead of looking at the things that we do not have why not teach our children too work with the tools they do have and strive for more. It is easy to look at someone who is receiving something you think you deserve and make an excuse as to why that is happening. It takes a different person to make a change and that strength comes from support and what better support system than family?
Black History Month
Growing up My parents always tried to teach me to treat everyone as I would like to be treated. And I am sure I am not the only one whose parents followed this motto. What happened? Do people just forget that those around us no matter what color their skin have feelings too? I still cannot grasp why people think of themselves as better than another person based solely on their skin. When you think about the actual concept itself it seems almost silly. The idea that one race is superior to the other.
I grew up next to a household of African Americans, Mother Father 2 sons and a daughter. Though I knew things were done differently in my household for instance we did not go to church every Sunday and they went to a local Baptist church. They also ate more fried food than we, they moved from Gulf Port, Mississippi which they claimed is the source of their dietary choices. My family ate much more pasta and fish. These differences didn’t give either of our families any kind of clout or the other or a feeling that the house next door was more prominent for any reason. We were simply neighbors and friends. I’m aware that not everyone grows up in the same environment but I do not understand how people get the idea that they are better than someone based on the color of their skin.
Not Black history. American History
Our country has been through a lot in our short existence. We have conquered nations and rescued others. This idea that it is black history month, it's not just black history month. It's a month that we set aside to remember a time that our young country was confused. Yes it is focused on African Americans but really it could also include Native Americans, Mexican Americans, Irish Americans etc. There is almost no ethnicity that was not persecuted at some point or another. I'm not saying that Black history month shouldn't be focused on African Americans, but i am saying that they are not the only ones that went through a hard time in this country. African Americans have played a big role in our countries growth and we all appreciate you and everything you done for us.
Together as One
Its kind of for anyone race to judge another about their financial problems or blessings. Its different all around the U.S, there are places that have wealthy blacks and poor white or, there are places where black students shoot up a school classroom. So for anyone race to be pointed out as one certain crime for that race is wrong, because we all do good and bad things for this world. Our past is what made us today slavery, civil war,and civil rights movements. All of these things separated us white vs black but, with these parts of history I don't think we would be able to live as a unit in todays society. Even though we still have our differences in "culture" we are still learning to live as one. But there are some people who are never going to change, they just want it to be the same as its always been in the past. This is where we run into problems because people are afraid of change. We will never get to where we want to be until we hear the others side and learn to live as one society and not two separate cultures.
History Books
It would be nice if their was a way to change the history books to not just have only white American history but to cultivate other cultures into the books. Many cultures have fought and died to make American what it is today. I just think they should be honored also for all the blood and tears they shed. By doing so this helps the future generation really get a better understanding of their culture and how others cultures help shape the world as it is today instead of just one dominate race. But I do realize if this would actually take place it would start conflict between races because people wouldn’t know what to put in and what not to put in. maybe there wouldn’t be conflict I’m just trying to look at both sides.
The key
I believe the key to being able to do away with black history month lies in the hands of the Government. For decades the United States Government has refused to acknowledge any wrong doing on their part or on the part of white American citizens in regards to black oppression. The Government not only does not talk about but they attempt to sweep the history of slavery under the rug. For instance it wasn't enough that black were already underrepresented in Textbooks but now the Government is attempting to alter the one pert of black history that actually receives some attention. The Texas Legislature recently passed textbook changes that would take the word "slavery" out of textbooks. By sweeping this history under the rug the government is practically supporting the oppression of the black population. Our government needs to come to terms with mistakes that were made in the past and move forward by passing legislation that emphasizes black history and preaches acceptance rather than ignorance. Only when the government has done right by the black american population does the American population as a whole stand a chance of moving forward and looking at blacks as equals rather than looking past them and continuing to ignore their struggles. Only when this has happened will black history month no longer be necessary.
Black History Month
Unlike many people who have commented on this article, I still strongly believe that Black History Month is necessary. I respectfully disagree with the user who feels that Black History Month should perhaps be shortened to a day or any shorter period of time. Black History Month is very important in recognizing our past mistakes and also recognizing the success of many African-Americans that helped to found and build this country. However, many teachers and professors teach very little history of African-Americans in this country, which is a shame. African-Americans have played a huge role in making our country what it is today, and it is also a shame that we need a pre-set month to reflect on these people and their success. We should always be thinking and studying about the history of our nation, and a big part of that was African-Americans. As a user said before, if we don’t learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it. It sounds cliché, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
Black History Month
I really appreciate that this article does it’s best to look at the issue from both sides. My feelings and conclusions on this particular issue are rather mixed. I love history, and I love times that remind me of past mistakes and the redemption that the Lord allowed to come through after such trials. As much as I love history however, I do not understand how we can expect to become unified, to “no longer notice race” as many people describe it, if we continue to prove our separation via outlets such as Black History Month. It could be argued that this constant reminder that we were once separate allows for the separation to continue. I would be very interested to find out what kinds of programs exist to break the family cycle that has been mentioned in this article. If such programs exist, and if others are willing to begin extinguishing the differences and becoming one united people, then I believe we are on the pathway to experience national unity.
Establishing Trends
I had the blessing this past weekend of listening to Daymond John, founder of FUBU, discuss his experience of growing up in a black community. Something that caught my attention is when he stated was that although there are many blue-collared workers in the poorer neighborhoods, often times those people are not seen by the youth because they are having to get up at 6 am to go to work and don't get back until around 10 pm. Because of this those children are only growing up seeing the drug dealers who are making money and the people who live off of welfare, they do not have the exposure that someone like me who grew up in a neighborhood where most people have successful businesses that allow for them to engage in their children's lives.
I do see value in Black History month. It may not be significant to children who grew up in good neighborhoods and most of us may not see it as a necessary part of education. But for people who are constantly being exposed to people who are selling drugs and choosing a life of crime, this could be the only exposure they have to successful minorities. By saying this is not important, society would be saying that we want these children to be set up for failure because how else can we expect them to learn they can be successful? We have had ample opportunities to be exposed to success and yet some of us still choose failure. But for someone who hasn't been exposed to success they must overcome more obstacles than we can imagine to be successful.
We should make celebrities of the people who become successful so that more minorities will strive to be like them and will look to them for guidance.
Poverty is a cycle and Black History Month is one way we can look to break the cycle by providing children examples of successful minorities and showing them that success is possible even for people like themselves.
Being an African American I
Being an African American I appreciate the fact that there is a black history month, but I don't feel that it is celebrated appropriately. Some don't even acknowledge its existence and the point of why it is. At the same time it does trouble me that there is only one month out of the twelve. Why can't everyone, every race be celebrated throughout the entire year? To me it is a double-edged sword.
Family time used to be mandatory, but now it is nonexistent. Some wonder why there are gangs, robberies and stabbings but I see no need to ask that question. We need to look at the lives we are leading and how we are implementing them to our future generations. Things would be a lot different we stopped blaming others around us and took a good look at ourselves.
The Family Unit
My reaction to this article should be based on the articles main purpose which was the American family unit. However my thoughts were stolen away from what was in the article by how the article was written. While I appreciate the time and effort that the writer put into developing this piece, I feel as though this article is more biased than neutral. I feel that it gives the extremes of a white family and the extremes of a black family. I don’t think that this piece fairly describes the family unit for neither whites nor blacks. This article seemed in my opinion to leak partiality. I wish the article could have been less dramatically descriptive and more neutral. I am not naïve in thinking that there is no difference between white and black families and that everything is completely neutral. While I believe that the family unit is generational, I also believe that it is situational and relative. There is no absolute.
Morgan Freeman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeixtYS-P3s
MUST WATCH!!!
I don't know if you have seen this but I agree with what Morgan Freeman says. Why have a black history month, it only helps to separate blacks and whites. Maybe not as strong as segregation but if you look deep into it, it does.
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