Black History month is the one month out of the year that black culture in America is not only focused on in a positive light, but celebrated. It has been argued that having a month dedicated to Black History creates a situation where all information linked to Black History is reserved for that month, thus being ignored throughout the rest of the year. The following video is a segment which presents Morgan Freeman’s proposed solution to the problem of racism. In case you cannot watch the video embedded below, he says:
I don’t want a Black History Month. [He was asked how we are going to get rid of racism without acknowledge Black History in America.] Stop talking about it. I’m going to stop calling you a white man and I’m going to ask that you stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace; you know me as Morgan Freeman.
One problem with his viewpoint is that racists don’t call Morgan Freeman a “black man” to begin with. I suppose for someone in his position – highly respected by nearly everyone because of his accomplishments, achievements, and social status – it may seem like a simple thing. For the average person, however, racism is much more of a difficult issue than willful ignorance is going to resolve. By “willful ignorance” here, I simply am referring to the state of choosing to ignore. During the interview Morgan Freeman begged the question, “You’re going to relegate my history to a month?” The fact of the matter, however, is that mainstream America celebrates white culture every day. Black America, for the most part, is encouraged to “fit in” with white culture in one way or another.
Let’s face it – we live in a country where conformity in minority communities is a means of existing. Those who fail to conform when it is necessary for that field of interest don’t exist there long. For these reasons, having a month to recognize the movements that brought about such strides in the Black community is essential, if for nothing else than to remind our youth for generations to come of how much their predecessors fought for them to have the freedoms and rights that they have — to encourage young black Americans by teaching them about the achievements those who came before them made despite everything they had to overcome.
We live in a modern society in which it is more likely for a less-qualified white individual to be promoted or hired than it is for a qualified black individual with proven work ethic and where black people were not even considered a worthy, desirable, or even welcome part of our nation’s communities up until the mid-1960s – being refused the right to vote, go to school, eat, or even utilize the same bathrooms as their white counterparts. Until 1967, states could even imprison couples who married outside of their own race — but this law was rarely enforced unless one party was black.
Black History Month is very much relevant and necessary if for no other reason than because many of those who suffered through the Civil Rights Movement are still among us… and this month of observation will remain relevant and necessary as long as those among us are still suffering through being denied civil rights for being black. It IS important for people to be made aware of what went on/is going on, as well as to celebrate the contributions made to American history when Black community leaders reflected the strength and determination of an entire population as they rose up together and said NO MORE!
Black History Month isn’t about being separative. It’s about allowing a People to embrace, celebrate, share, teach, and learn their own history of triumphs and accomplishments in the face of constant resistance that far outweighed the norm. It is about preserving the history of a People who suffered and fought long and hard (and who are still suffering and fighting) for equality and acceptance in a nation that was built on their backs.
Should we have a Black History month?
Here is my personal argument: Without it, rather than being relegated to one month of our year, Black History would be relegated to the past forever and never focused on — left to be regarded as just one more piece of African American heritage that was not preserved. It makes me angry to even consider that our country should not have a time designated to honor those in the Black community who contributed so much to American History and until an equal amount of Black History is integrated into American History classes and literature, this will be something I am very insistent about. I’m open for dialog, though. What do YOU think about Morgan Freeman’s perspective on Black History Month? What is YOUR perspective?
I am a history buff. Whenever we vacation, I make sure my family takes in a historic tour or a museum. And for me, Black History Month is a time to learn more about the African American culture. I can understand Morgan Freeman’s point that other races don’t have a month assigned to them and my question is: Why not? I’d love a Jewish History Month. An Asian History Month. Or a Spanish History Month. For me, these are more opportunities to learn. Not a disparaging insult on a race or someone’s existence.
Becca Bernstein recently posted The 2012 A-List Calendar for Bloggers
I support having Black History Month for the reason you stated at the end – if we got rid of it, we would likely not EVER celebrate Black History.
My problem is that so much of our society thinks we’ve done enough now that we have the month. “We gave you your freaking month, can’t you be happy yet?” “You have your Black President now, can you stop whining?”
The fact that there is a tumblr that does nothing but call out the White people who complain about Black History Month is just one way to know that we are not “there” yet. I will be supportive of letting go of Black History Month under two conditions: that we have come to a place in our growth where we truly don’t need it anymore . . . or that we as a society are ready to wage a full-out war on racism, including an overhaul of our education system.
I don’t see either of those happening anytime soon, so I will continue to support and celebrate Black History Month during February and the rest of the year.
Ashley recently posted Wardrobe Redux Tutorials
Whoops, I meant for that first comment to be a response to the blog, not Becca. Nevertheless, Becca, there are months & weeks for celebrating tons of different groups – Asian Americans, Native Americans, the Irish, etc. Bascially just google “______ history month” and have fun.
Ashley recently posted Wardrobe Redux Tutorials
Black History month is as important as all the President’s birthday celebration, Martin Luther King Jr celebration and any other celebration worthy of recognition for whatever reason – let us never forget.