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
I don't really feel as a
I don't really feel as a Country we should direct one month for a single ethnic group. I think we should instead talk about all ethnic groups and races throughout the whole year. Black History Month has always been a controversial issue and it is not hard to understand why. Most people feel that a month dedicated to one race is not fair. I agree, however the rest of the months are essentially saved for the White Americans, I think if we really want to understand American History, you must integrate all the races that call America home and put their history all in one. I also feel that if we move past this, we can get to the bigger issue and thats the racial tension that is still prevalent in our country. People still blame things that happen on other races and I don't believe it's fair. I would like to think of myself as one who doesn't blame my problems on other races or even my own, but believe through hard work and dedication one can prevail. Maybe America should teach this principle as well.
I agree that one month should
I agree that one month should not be designated to a specific ethnic group because it isn't fair to other ethnicities. However I also understand that we have this designation as a learning and celebration tool. It is a a way (and an excuse) to help schools integrate more information about black history into their school programs. But you can also argue the point that schools should try to integrate teaching about other ethnic cultures as well because they all contributed to current Armeican culture. Hopefully in the future there will be no need for things such as black history month because the all forms of education will cover most if not all aspects of different cultures. Even though it seems like a large amount of information to try and "force" on younger generations.
Unjust Welfare?
It is sad to think that in today’s world that we are so separated by race and color that we think in terms of where and how we live. Yes there are many "bad" neighborhoods that have a high number of African Americans living in them or Hispanics. But there are also a lot of these same neighborhoods that are mainly white people but they are often not talked about as often because they tend to be in less popular places, perhaps they are more country than city neighborhoods. Thus the term "redneck" is used to describe these people. I understand how people may think that it isn’t fair for white people to be on welfare compared to black people because of job market discrimination. But then again I think it is also unfair to make this accusation because i believe that people are lazy whether they are black or white and therefore are on welfare (this only includes able bodied people on welfare). I don't think that we should compare how is on welfare based on skin and i don't think it is ultimately fair to say that one is more deserving than another because of job market discrimination. Because one could argue that a black person on welfare can take the job a white person on welfare could have if the white person didn't want it. A lot of people actually don’t want the jobs because they want to be able to stay on welfare and they know that once they start making a certain amount of money they will be cut off.
black history month and two families
To address the first topic of this post i don't feel like there needs to be a black history month. However there needs to be more Africana studies incorporated into schools. Honestly i don't think many people acknowledge it (Black history month) or care to know about it. I know I have never talked or learned about it. Also i feel as if a diversity month should take its place so everything isn't so Black and White because that's just boring. That's why we have color film these days, to capture the reality of life. America isn't just Black and White; it is every race and ethnicity. To address the other part of this article I am baffled as to why it brings up the same race related issues that take white and black relations nowhere. It is like a loophole. Nothing positive comes out of arguments. I feel like this article is a little of a generalization on whites views on blacks and vice versa in terms of welfare and affirmative action.
Black History Month
I think a black history month is still necessary in this country, however, it has turned into something that people just gloss over. Black history month is a designated time that this country has to reflect on the accomplishments of African Americans to our society as a whole. Not only does black history month promote the education of African Americans' contributions to society, but it stresses the diversity that this country is based on. People tend to forget that learning about the history of America includes more than just the founding fathers, and until history includes the good, the bad, and the ugly, I believe that a black history month is still necessary. Unfortunately, black history month does get glossed over when teachers dedicate just a few lessons to emphasize the African American community. Part of me feels that many disregard black history month as a brief celebration of a specific genre of history, when African American should have never been omitted from history books and lesson-plans in the first place. Along with a greater stress on black history, I wish that the view of the American family could be transformed into that of a multi-cultural family.
In my opinion I feel black
In my opinion I feel black history month was not intended to last this long. I feel with the attention and recognition of many white founders and European based traditions throught out the year black history month was a way of showing America that we have talented folk also that need to be recognized. I feel in having a month to recoognize these folk this education was to be soon incorporated into our society. I think that was the intention of Black history month. Unfortunantly, not many people took much from it or tried to incorporate it into our daily lives which is why we continue this monotonouse routine. Black history month was a milestone to getting African American history recognized our generation just never took advantage of it to take it to the next level.
Why a month and not a day?
I believe that Black history shouldn’t be a “month” but perhaps a “day”. A Day is enough to remind America of its past doings. To realize important facts like “skin color doesn’t make us better then the other”. I am reminded by the Holocaust in Germany. It is a specific day where the country remembers the killing of the Jews. Though it’s not a healthy reminder for the German population it has a purposeful use. This day causes a lot of people to reflect and recall the past tragedies, which cannot be erased. It’s a marker that hopefully may prevent history from repeating its self. I think it’s important to have a day of remembrance but I believe it shouldn't be a month.
Asking why a month and not a
Asking why a month and not a day is like asking "why a page and not a book?" Why is it that in primary schools what we call American history only includes one page of black history? When blacks were a large part in the foundation of American history. The simple answer is there is far to much to dedicate just one day. Black history is just as vast as White history or what the schools systems call American history. Children spend a full year or semester learning about American or white history while black his story is merely todays lesson. That is why it needs to be a month. To expose to the public the knowledge that has been cut out. I feel this is another form of institunialized racism.
I agree with you, but the
I agree with you, but the more I think about how schools could incorporate more black history into their curriculums, the more I feel that people will argue with integrating history. it is so hard to change a person's mentality, and the majority of people already have their take on history, making any additions stand out-- especially if the additions focus on african american, or even native american history. I wish that there could be a way to create a new history that objectively looked at the facts rather than picking and choosing what is 'important,' but in the year 2011 this is difficult. However difficult, I think the solution lies in elementary school systems implementing a more diverse view of history. Once in college level or high school level classes, history should include the good, the bad, and the ugly. More people need to know about various histories rather than the one that focuses on white males and political gains rather than truthful depictions of all races and nations that brought America to where it is today.
Why a month not a day?
Black history can in no way be only a day. No person could possibly remember the 300 plus years of struggle and slavery that this race has been through. One day could not possibly remember the countless individuals and groups that stood up (and even were killed) in order to achieve what they thought society should be like. One day could not demonstrate the determination of Martin Luther King, Malcom X, W.E.B. Dubois, Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, Dred Scott, Mum Bett, and Hiriam Revels. These are just a few of the major players in the 300 plus years of slavery. There is no way that you can remember these few individuals in only one day of remembrance, that's why I believe that the SHORTEST month of the year should stay as Black History Month.
Won't it cause an unfair variation?
Diversity is one of the strongest base of America. Celebrating diversity might be a briliant idea and dedicating a day or even a month would motivate people to acknowledge the existance of other races in the environment we live in. This will have a significant impact in fighting against racism. However, giving a whole month or a day for different races in order to celebrate it, in my opinion will cause an increase in rasism and it will contemplate people to think of blacks separately from others. I believe that all races have their own culture and background but i don't accept the idea of any one race being better than another so even though the idea of celebrating black history or some other race for a month is not a bad idea, I would suggest that celbrating deversity by dedicating a month to it is better.
I agree that just celebrating
I agree that just celebrating a different ethnic group's history for a month isn't a bad idea and although it may increase racisim, it will also increase knowledge of what accomplishments and what achievements that race has made, however, I too feel that it would be better to have a diversity month, instead of one month dedicated to one race because it does seem thats seperating that race making it seem as if they are better than the rest.
the pass is the pass ? i think not !!!!
I agree, because not having a black holiday people will forget about history. When a person study something they tend to remember, so just like this for an example us forgetting about the pass is just wrong. We never forgot about 9-11 and we still today think about it and celebrate so why just because of a black holiday we don’t celebrate. In today’s wrong there are so many ignorant people out there that don’t care about any race but there’s race so if we keep strong and as we Malcolm X called it “fight the power we will be good “some might not like this reply but it’s just the truth.
unfair variation
I have to agree about that dedicating a month to diversity instead of one group of people is a much better idea. This way all groups of people can learn about each other's differences and embrace them instead of putting one race in the spotlight which actually makes some people mad. Sad but true.It is important to learn about Black History but a month long celebration that realistically isn't appreciated by a lot of people is impractical. It is more useful to learn about about Black History in a school like setting, therefore there should be more education on the topic in schools.
Black History Month
I appreciate Dr. Ellis' perspective that the appreciation of a minority should be understood and not reserved for an annual reminder. This vision could perhaps serve a long term goal but I feel that a dedicated month of celebrating the achievements of a minority group is a wonderful thing, especially for our nation’s children. An annual month of specific and direct information can only foster understanding to our children, providing inspiration and pride to our nation’s minority children as well as acknowledgement and appreciation from our nation’s majority children. I feel our country has made strong progressions toward equality in each generation but more work and time is still needed. Erasing the prejudices in our society begins with families. It begins with strong families being role models, raising tolerant, informed children and breeding prejudice completely out of our culture. Prejudice is an abstract idea manufactured by society, these ideas must be defeated by knowledge and information. I will be celebrating Black History Month and providing leadership to my daughter that although different, we must embrace differences and not allow them to become barriers like too many of our predecessors have.
A Tale of Two Families
I believe that Dr. Ellis made an excellent point in this article. There are still issues of mistrust and misunderstanding between races, but the problem and the solution can both be found within the family unit. How parents choose to raise and set examples for their children determines the values and manner of thinking that these children will possess as adults. Young children who are guided to realize that while people may have different skin color or cultural values are more likely to realize these differences should not separate us as Americans or people. United We Stand, Divided We Fall. The biggest statistic for a family to be on welfare is if it is headed by a single mother. When the family unit is not whole and healthy, it falls apart. Statistics show that many criminals come from families who had absent fathers. (This is not to say that all children who had absent fathers will grow up to be criminals, but that in comparison with the overall population, a disproportionate number of these children do.) Strong, healthy families are the best way to set a foundation for the next generation to accept people as people and not as colors.
Black History Month
I agree with the point that Dr. Ellis is trying to emphasize in this article. In a perfect world, there would be no need for a Black History Month, but I do not feel that we have reached that point yet. Racism still occurs daily and having Black History month helps remind everyone of the challenges that one specific race faced. There are both positive and negative aspects to having an entire month devoted to celebrating one specific race. A positive aspect of this month is that it gives people a chance to learn more about Black History and the struggles that this race has gone through. This month gives people the opportunity to understand a history that they probably have not heard as much about. However, I do feel that continuing to have a Black History Month might only serve to divide the races even more. I think it would be more beneficial to try and celebrate every race for a month in order to stress the importance of all the different races. It is easy to see why some people do not agree with Black History month because it seems to cause a separation between the races. If there was a month where all the different races were appreciated and celebrated, then it would likely promote more acceptance from everyone. Unfortunately, at the moment there is still resentment coming from both sides and until everyone manages to overcome that, then there will always be differing opinions on the issue from both sides.
Black History Month
I dont think that the style of a family is dependent on race. Yes of course traditions and cultures shape a family unit, but just because you white or black does not mean you have to be poor, or you get to be rich. The cycle of poverty some families find themselves in today is because of thier choices; and race has absoluetly nothing to do with it.
I respectfully disagree with
I respectfully disagree with the whole idea of black history month. There are many different races that have struggled to get where they are today, but there is no "Asian history month" or "Native American history month." The idea of devoting one month to African Americans makes me question whether this is supposed to make me feel sorry for the struggles, or proud of them. It is racist in itself to separate them from the whole of our country. We are a melting pot, and with that comes various races and cultures. Having a "cultural diversity month" would be more productive, in my opinion. Also, the pictures in this article are sadly one sided. They go from one extreme to the next, and give people a poor view of what actually is going on.
An Idea Gone Wrong
I believe the purpose of the establishment of black history month was to dissolve the bonds of racism. It could be argued that the attitudes towards racism my generation (those born around 1990) holds are a result of such steps. I can tell you in my experience it has not shown me that such steps are working at all, as they were intended. I was a Resident Assistant at a college in which they ran programs about cultural diversity awareness very often. Many black students didn't care to join in the activity and most white students felt disappointed cause they had nothing to offer. I watched as Obama was elected and groups black students ran around campus shouting in the faces of their fellow white classmates that the blacks had the power now. I too have had a fair amount of racist acts against me. The point I'm trying to make is that the tradition of black history month is not working. Rather it is a tug a war between racial pride actually causing some amount of racism. It's hard to know what to do, but I believe that the celebration of one culture or history while having no such designations for the other cultures and histories is not the answer. Racial pride is a good thing for self view, but can be the starting point for discrimination if carried too far.
The Best You're Going to Get
I agree that it should not be necessary to recognize and celebrate the struggles of a certain race in American society for an entire month. I agree it should not be necessary, but it is. Those who choose to forget history are doomed to repeat it and if we, as a nation, choose to forget the struggle of the African American race we are setting ourselves up to fail again. You can not completely eradicate racism or discrimination in any society, no matter the depth of that societies moral character or the extent of their education. Discrimination and racism are undeniable forces that have been around since the beginning of time. The only way to deal with racism to confront it head on. There should be a "Native American Month" as well as a "Asian" month. We should continue to confront and educate our youth about the horrors of racism. If we choose to pretend it didn't happen or claim that we have achieved a society that is not longer conscious of race then we are doomed to let history repeat itself. Everyone loves the idea of a society where race is not acknowledged and the history books simply tell exactly what happened from a completely neutral standpoint. While this idea may be pretty it is not realistic. Racism and discrimination can be treated, it cannot be completely cured. The best you can do is educate and treat.
We're not making advances
We're not making advances because of the topic at hand. We're always discussing the issue at hand about Black History Month and whether it should be a month or a day. What about Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, and the LGBT History Month in October? Where do they come into play about being talked about at all? When will their contributions become apart daily discussion during their month in the school house? Some people should research before they blog because half didn't even these celebrations existed and it goes to prove that White Americans still have the same belief of only two sides: Black and white. Everyday somebody of a different race is making changes to the world as a whole but its get blinded and not broadcast for the world to see. The racism speaks for itself for other races. I guess for a black person it must be better to be recognized for your month and still have it removed than to not even be recognized or even people know you have a month exist. Schools are already eliminating the discussion of black history in their classes and kids who are growing up have no idea what blacks have done for the USA, they just see what the media portrays of Blacks. Black History Month should still be celebrated and embraced even more, everyday is celebration for White Americans because the United States was built around them. The welfare system was built around White Americans, Blacks worked on the field. Until everyone recognizes their flaws, only then will we work together but you always going to have the selected few who are in power that have a difference of opinion.
I personally do not have a
I personally do not have a problem with designating a month to any race or ethnicity. But what I do have a problem with is the way people represent their ethnicity. The point of their month is to look at the accomplishments that these people made to have a better life. I feel that about half of these races are not representing themselves the way their ancestors would have wanted them to. They want to classify themselves as underprivileged and not respected enough, well that is because they put themselves in that situation. There is no reason for anybody of any race and color to not be able to achieve in life and be considered "wealthy" like they think all whites are.The United States is priveleged enough to give everybody an equal opportunity, and one must not let anything or anybody bring them down or stop them from achieving their dreams.
We are not our ancestors.
There are several issues at play here. Any time black history month is brought about in a conversation, people automatically jump to voicing their opinions about whether it should be taught in a day or in one month. This tends to lead to the bigger issue of black people feeling they have to defend their heritage and white people defending theirs. Caught in the crossfire is the indisputable fact that all parties like to ignore....the white people of today don't have slaves and most are not out to oppress the competition, just as well, the black people of today have not worked in any fields lately and are not being sold to white owners. It seems that a trend exists when this time of the month rolls around and black and white people focus more on defending themselves instead of remembering that they were friends just last week. I don't deny that I think black history is just as important as any other ethnic history. I think all the cultural histories that helped to shape our country should be combined and taught in a way that everyone can actually see the integration of all people. No one is being asked to forget the color of our skin. No one is being asked to forget the hardships that each culture had to endure to survive the founding of our country. We spend hours (and for some, lifetimes) trying to place blame on others just so we don't have to hold ourselves accountable for our own failures. This lack of accountability is what's being passed down through the generations, and ultimately causing us to behave defensively when we're presented with the past actions of our ancestors. Ideally, we need to stop seeing each other as different skin colors or ethnicities and start looking at the fact that we are all of the same species. Everyone has had hardships at some point in their life. In the end, life is what you make of it...the decisions you make, the path you choose to follow.
Black History Month
I think that it’s wonderful that we can take time to remember what has happened in the past and the events that have made us into what we are today. Black History Month is a time to honor the sacrifices that people made so long ago to insure freedom for themselves and others and to appreciate what they did to make our country a better place. It is essential that we reflect on history and learn from it so that we do not repeat the mistakes those have made before us.
I appreciate the article’s focus on the importance of the family to our society. If every parent were to install in their children a deep respect for other races, traditions, and differences among peoples, racism would not be as big of a problem. It would be wonderful if people didn’t see color and every family had the same opportunities, but the sad fact is we live in an imperfect world and the best that we can do is to try to improve on the present and personally treat others with the respect that they deserve.
Celebrate All Oppressed Peoples
I am not all that clear on where I stand on this topic myself. On one hand, I absolutely believe that the struggle Africans Americans went through should be remembered, and that the end of that era should be celebrated. I think that commemorating them on their struggle and placing emphasis on their history is a huge step in the right direction. However, there are so many other oppressed peoples in this world. Oppressed races, genders, social classes, and sexual orientations. It is just as important to celebrate those people as it is to celebrate African Americans. Is it a whole new form of discrimination to five black people their own month but not give anyone else their own month. The idea of Black History Month is wonderful, but what if this celebration was not only limited to celebrating black people, but also celebrating all oppressed peoples. Would that not get the whole point of the celebration across a lot more clearly and bring us all together ever more?
one month
On this topic I feel that if we have one specific month dedicated to the African American, or even the entire Black community that we are supporting segregation. I am in complete support with integration of Black History into text so that when we study history we it is not racially biased. However I feel that through having one specific month dedicated to a certain ethnic group does less justice to the group than the month originally intended. By separating and designating a specific month for one group we are once again making them separate. For example all the "complaints" by different races about wither or not there are too many black people on well fare and not enough white people on well fare is just ridiculous. As an American community we need to get rid of this socially acceptable and conversational form of separation. We need to refer to everything in a new light. For example rather than complaining about one race and well fare we should make a stand and say, "Why are there so many Americans on well fare, and what can we do to better our community and help our fellow man succeed."
Of course I am not naive enough to think we can simply change our grammar and think we will be in a racially equal society without racial biases. I simply feel that as an American Society we need to stop making obvious separations of the ethnic communities and work together to preserve a better history, country and life for our future generations.
Black History Month
I think this article is great when referring to Black History, after all that they went through and the struggles. I believe that they should have a month to themselves in which recalls all the History that was made. Everyone should want to appreciate that month other than African Americans, we as a society should join together and celebrate the month with them, but in reality we don’t. Is it that we fail to notice the month? Or is it that this piece of history wasn’t really taught to us in our early school years, like all the other history from different cultures. It’s bad that we didn’t get to learn much of Black History when we were in school, at least I didn’t. It’s necessary for Black History to be given a whole month of celebration.
I don’t get the whole section in the article that brings up how black folks wonders why white teenagers choose to build bombs and go on rampage shooting and how white folks wonder why black teenagers will rather sell drugs, shoot another for money, or rob an elder. Can it be that white individuals are pictured to have a good life and black individuals are pictured to have a ruff life, this is what society draws them out to be and it’s usually not the case. Why does race have to define us as a society, if an individual from one race is a certain way then we are all classified under the same category? Who has the say in saying that whites have it well, and other races don’t? Overall I believe society, as a whole is to blame for all the discrimination between races.
Mixed feelings
My feelings about this article are very mixed. I like to try and see things through the eyes of both whites and blacks. A black person has every right, and possibly even an obligation to keep history alive for future generations. They have come a long way, and there are many heroes and advocates who deserve to be remembered and celebrated. From another perspective, how will we ever blend if we continue to draw attention to exactly how separate we are, for example, Black History Month, Black Entertainment Television, and the Miss Black America Pageant. Overall, I believe I would stand in favor of Black History Month, in my opinion is it is always good to remember where you started and keep a close check on the progress you have made, and where you want to be in the future.
The article is right on target when it states that it all begins with stability in our families. I had never thought about the reason that so many Black families are broken stemming from the fact that their families were torn apart during the years of slavery. This is a very good observation. It would be interesting to learn about some of the possible programs that are in place to help with breaking that cycle.
Tale of two families
My first impression of this issue is that it is prevalent in our society and many people, including myself, do not know what to think. As a white individual I can relate to the things in the article about black people. However, growing up in a community that was very diverse and having close friends that were of color I can also relate to the other side of the article. Being white doesn’t mean I should get special treatment but being black doesn’t mean black people deserve anything more than white people. This is a hard ting for me to talk about because I know people, black and white, that have both demonstrated both sides of this issue. Some of the most successful people I know are black and some of them are white. Some of the most deadbeat people I know are black and some are white. I agree with the article that the family unit is where the answer to this issue lies. Adults were once kids that learned from the adults that raised them. It all starts with family or lack there of. America will always have biases and there will always be prejudices but if America can just lay aside past occurrences and stop letting them define their future the world would be a brighter place.
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