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
agreed
I could not agree more. Every ethnic group which was or is still part of the whole American history should be reconized with equal importance and also deserves the same respect as they all have contributed or still plays a role in what this country has become.
Racism in America
You bring up a strong point in which I have to agree with. I had always thought it was silly to provide assistance to those of different races. Not, because they don't need it, but, more so the fact that they are being categorized as different based on their culture and the color of their skin. We can really attribute this to a variety of different races and not just African Americans, and your right in a sense we are creating a racist America.
Interesting and Eye Opening
This article was very eye opening and interesting to read. Growing up I remember being told it was Black History Month, but I don't remember learning much about it. Of course we talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, that was about it. It is really interesting and frustrating to me that we never really learned about Fredrick Douglas in school, nor about the fact the African Americans were highly represented in both the Democratic and Republican party during the Reconstruction. I guess that just happened to be left out of our history books...over and over again. I really enjoyed this article and I wish more people would partake in discussions like this.
I agree
It seems we are stuck in a rut regarding Black History month. "Oh its February again, bust out the MLK Jr facts and pictures." The fact that African Americans were highly represented after Civil War was unbeknownst to me as well, definitely eye-opening.
it is with the mentality that
it is with the mentality that blacks or any other race could or should be any one thing; that this what prejudice started with. by them saying that blacks are predominately republican isnt right, even though it may be true it should not be then assumed that the "majority" are. people are not the majority, they are their own person. blacks were originally thought to be only good as slaves and look how wrong that was. so i think it is wrong to come to the determination of their political beliefs. i know that is far fetched but is the principal of the matter that ideas such as this is where prejudice is bred. we should teach our children that everyone is different so therefore their beliefs may be as well. this should be determined from PERSON to PERSON not from skin color to skin color.
It is Necessary
The words black history month highlight the struggle and pain that African Americans went through for hundreds of years. Black History month allows us to look at all the great things that black people were able to do despite the oppression they faced. Slaves and black people were treated so awful that the crimes committed by white America would land people in prison these days. Cops still are using excessive force towards African American males. The cops in New York are actually allowed to frisk people on the street "they THINK are suspicious". There is an incident that happened that where an officer grabbed a young mans genitals and ripped his reproductive tubes that allow him to have children. Here is the link http://www.alternet.org/philadelphia-teen-sexually-assaulted-during-stop... . This is a huge problem in today's society with the stronghold of police
Racial Political Divide
I agree with Parks2014-32 that it was interesting to see how a large percent of African American's had once filled the republican party. It really makes you wonder at which point a divide and stereotyping parties with race actually began. It's hard not to agree with the notion that we should set more time aside to observing the importance of each race in our culture. It reminds me a lot of the idea of Valentines Day, a day that's dedicated to "love". When in reality you should be showing how much you care everyday and creating a day to signify this is simply an excuse to not do it continuously.
It really makes me laugh at the ignorance of some when they say African Americans are lazy and want nothing more than a free handout. When as you said, in reality they would like to work just as hard for as much success as anyone else. Creating a divide between races based on their political preference seems almost criminal. This is especially true since you could just as easily say that their are just as much Caucasians receiving free handouts as well. It is a shame to me how we portray each political party, when in reality each side has benefits to offer the country. We are just so focused to the lines that divide us that it creates our own in ability to prosper as a nation.
I would like to read about how we could solely eliminate these barriers to the American people. Yes, observing the achievements of all races would help dramatically, but, unfortunately we can be too blind to see past that at times. Would an increase in African American's on both party lines eliminate the subconscious divide among voters? How long would it take create a more diverse office among both party's?
End to Racism
I agree that there should not be a month set aside solely for Black History. Now I do not want this to come across harsh. I believe that we need to start at the root of the problem with writing new history books that focus on the history of all races and their achievements, including white history. The United States is becoming more and more diverse, so it only seems natural to be fitting the needs of the children of America by teaching them the history of all different groups. African American and Latino history is something all children should be taught. With children be taught predominately white history in school, this is demonstrating that only white history is worth teaching and learning about. This of course leads to racist thoughts and attitudes which leads white children to possibly having feelings of superiority which then leads to racism.
Different message than I thought
Initially, I thought this article was going to urge to change Black History month in one form or another, whether that be abolish it completely or reinforce. I did not expect a political party discussion to emerge, but it definitely kept my attention.
I agree with the author when they say that we need to focus on the achievements throughout history and change what is taught. That fact that the author threw in regarding blacks being the majority within SC House of Representatives. I feel the success of many blacks after the end of slavery should be taught in classes throughout all levels of education. If I remember my Middle School lessons, it seems like they kind of skipped over that part.
In my opinion Black History
In my opinion Black History month should be as much about Black Future as it is Black History. Yes, it is nice to recognize the achievements of African Americans for a whole month, but I believe the month of February should be focused on what African Americans plan to accomplish next. If it is a fight for total equality, what step should we take to reach that goal?
True
yes this is true but you have to also think of how much of the black history that people still don't know everyone knows who George Washington is but not George Washington Carver. With that fact the goal of doing this is to have people go the distance and try and become greater then our history.
If this is the reason you
If this is the reason you believe that Black History Month is important, then I don't see the importance of it. Why can't we just put into place curriculum in schools to educate students about historic black figures? Besides, if a student doesn't know the difference between George Washington and George Washington Carver, they should seriously read a book or seek some help.
I don't see the point.
I have to say I don't agree with you by saying February should, instead, be focused on what African Americans plan to accomplish next. There would be no point of having a Black History Month. February is supposed to be about educating individuals about every thing African Americans have ALREADY accomplished and overcame. It is about learning the things they don't say in our History books. Just by those African Americans accomplishing what they did, will allow others to continue to strive for what they want and need. There's no point in having a month about future plans.
BHM
Black History Month is really a big thing that most people don't really know a lot about. I like that we have these types of things because it is encouraged by schools to really teach the kids and by that we are shaping the form of the country into a better state of mind. This generation is still learning from the previous one but its learning to take out the bad racisms and learning to keep the good knowledge in. Hopefully that can be passed down and I feel as if the next generation would more likely have hate crimes against different sports teams then ethnic origin.
We should learn about not
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 you are so right
There should be more tolerance with other cultures. I believe Americans are to involved in his own country and they do not look to other cultures, which is so weird because the have a huge population of inmigrants. Maybe this happen because the issue ''discrimination'' is not even done between american people. Maybe the first step is to fix that current problem to then look to another places.
Your comment was very good.
i just feel like giving
i just feel like giving "lessons" about black history month and the blacks won't really have an effect on people's racial thoughts, not to be negative or anything, but most racist people are racist because of their parents and who they grew up around and it is hard to change someone's thoughts when they are around someone else's 24/7, but then again i could just be wrong.
I think you make a very
I think you make a very compelling case. the roots of racism usually start from when a child is brought into this world with all different ethnic people and taught to hate some. growing up in such an environment shapes children to behave in a certain way. But its good to know that there a communities working together to put an end to it.
Good
I think it is nice that African-Americans have their own month to conmemorate them. However I do not agree that along february is the only time when United States seem proud of their black people.
I liked to know how African-Americans face politics. I also like that Barack Obama is the current president while he represent more the black population in US. Probably African-Americans are feeling more comfortable within politic and this may make a huge change introducing more black people to represent their voice.
It was a very nice document. I believe there must be more writings about this topic to contribute to rise the popularity of politics to everybody. African-Americans has the same right to fight for what they like within their country. Sometimes exist the bad habit to not express what you think and then people complain about how the things are guided in the country. Hopefully everybody express their thinking feeling more comfortable with.
agreed.
I agree with your last paragraph. There should definitely be more writings about this topic. I like the fact that you brought up the problem that many people have; not expressing their feelings on certain subjects or not doing anything to make changes, but make the time to complain about "what is going wrong in our country".
Agreed.
I always over hear conversations about Black History month when February comes around and it always seems to be the same agreement every time. African Americans should not only be recognized one month out of the twelve. Just like this article has stated, African Americans has contributed in so many ways that many do not know or give enough recognition. In school, we never really learned about Black History. We only seem to have a short conversation or a quick class assignment regarding MLK Jr or Rosa Parks. But what about everything else?
I guess its safe to say, the
I guess its safe to say, the Black History Month raises awareness to individuals on the African American history further than the common knowledge of 'Martin Luther King's, " I have a Dream.." At least this way people get to learn about the contributions of African Americans in shaping the society that we live in today. Learning how African Americans were being highly represented in the reconstruction helps to shed the light on the more efforts that were put into bringing equality in the nation. All in all this was/is a positive read.
It is almost the end of the
It is almost the end of the month, and i have only seen a couple of things that promote black history month; one thing i saw that talked about it on here, and the other was a commercial on television, and that was earlier in the month, and i haven't heard anyone talk about it since, not even in school. Black history month is definitely something that should be recognized more.
agreement
I took this from the first article "the month-long recognition is not enough within itself. I have to agree with that sentence its not enough to explain to the people who fought for us in history. I think many people miss the importance of this month and they tend to blow it off we need more people to step up and be leaders.
it's very important to learn
it's very important to learn about the history and the past so we will know that people fought for the world that live in right now
Pages