Why we must celebrate black history month –
If American means all who were born in this country or came later and gained citizenship, or granted citizenship by other means, shouldn’t we work to remove the racial divide? Sharing the contributions and celebrating black history is a way of saying we see you, you belong, we are all Americans, and we want to be treated the same and given the same opportunities in every endeavor. “Black History is American History.”
For many in this country, education that comes from knowledge is always touted as the
foundation for broadening mental capacity, having diversified experiences, entrance to a variety of career paths, and even relating to each other. Questions to ponder are written throughout this discourse. Don’t just read it. Reflect on it or answer to yourself and if you are so inclined make a note to do something at some future time.
Many are tired of walking around with false fronts, refusing to be denied based on color. Overcoming social and racial injustice continues and we need to know the gruesome stories being brought to light, even though many want them buried. It is through God’s grace, that many will speak the truth, to enlighten us, to help us make amends and even forgive.
Why it matters –
“History, as nearly no one seems to know, is not merely something to read. And it does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history come from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do.” James Baldwin
Why we must teach black history month –
Are you a learner or a doer or both? Both require continuous learning and offer the opportunity to change previous views on what you thought you knew. Maybe you are hearing something that challenges what you thought you knew. Do you engage? Are you curious? Do you want to understand? Why should learning about black Americans and racism be any different? We have always had the responsibility to train the next generation.
We promote equality and fairness but when it doesn’t occur, do you turn a blind eye, walk away? How can America be great when it marginalizes so many ethnic groups? Well, that’s a writing for another day.
Learning is becoming aware and being a truth changer. Some acknowledge or commend “that” and “how” blacks have survived slavery, inequity, inequality, Jim Crow, and racism. We must not disavow all the evidence of how a group of people have risen above these imposed practices.
Note how this went from blacks to “group of people”. Overcoming the manmade “Race science, social construct” may never happen. But consider some other historical impacts to treating people differently because of made-up racial fabrications.
For youth – How many blacks would have walked with their heads held high if they had known about all the social and cultural contributions to the United States of America? Here’s a tidbit, did you know children slaves helped build Fort Sumter? Their handprints in the bricks are evidence of this.
Self-esteem. “I’m more than a basketball player”. “I’m more than a dancer”. “I’m more than a singer”. “I’m more than an artist”. “I’m more than a chef”. “My skin color comes in many beautiful shades”. “My hair style has been copied by many who would dare not want to be me”. There is hair discrimination in the workplace, schools, and swimming pools. “I am much more than an articulate person”. The intent might have been meant differently when it was recently applied to General Collin Powell after he died, but no folks, that is not a compliment.
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Why are all of these “first black African American” notices being shared? Because they were buried and because many didn’t care and then there is always the “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Some have died trying to tell the stories that need to be told. Sometimes the news just reports the tragic occurrences. Our local newspaper sports columnist does a wonderful job of researching and writing about athletes of many different sports and people who seem to be extraordinary. They are my heroes just for doing, speaking out and representing the human spirit. He once shared what he learned about an exhibit, at a local college, called “Our American Journey, The Black experience in America”. The columnist’s subtitle to the article was “Stories That Need to be Told.” The exhibit was not just about athletes but many known people and their associations with these athletes and what platforms they represented. The pictures and captions told stories that thankfully had been captured but previously had not been shared. Black Americans could have their own Black Trivia Contest or Black Jeopardy. Most of us would not be able to answer many of the “Who Is” or “What Is” questions.
Dr. Carter Woodson spoke to the miseducation of people of color which still exists today.
“If you teach the Negro that he has accomplished as much good as any other race he will aspire to equality and justice without regard to race. Such an effort would upset the program of the oppressor in Africa and America. Play up before the Negro, then, his crimes and shortcomings. Let him learn to admire the Hebrew, the Greek, the Latin and the Teuton. Lead the Negro to detest the man of African blood—to hate himself.” — Dr. Carter G. Woodson, The Miseducation of the Negro
Today there are more Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D, E, I) initiatives which go beyond the black experience. There are corporations spending millions of dollars that just check a box, with little change in workplaces. But here’s a positive fact by T-Mobile. Their platform acknowledges many success stories. They should because today, they are a major global industry thanks to Jesse Russel who created the 2G network, which is the foundation of all the smartphones and networks we utilize today. There are hundreds of more of these trailblazer accomplishments in various public and private archives.
How some are having conversations: spoken, written, and sung words; art museums; group discussions that requires interaction. We can learn to be comfortable about changing predetermined values and ideas when we honestly and openly speak about uncomfortable questions and answers. Making a daily commitment to talk with our friends and associates, about what is meaningful, represents true humanity and dignity. Many have begun the authentic messaging of collaborating or partnering with other organizations comprised of diverse groups of people to build community.
We influence others with our voice and actions. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” known as the black national anthem was written and composed by two brothers during the Harlem Renaissance in 1921. It captures the essence of the journey, though long and weary, yet looking forward by singing with hope, prayer, and faith to a spiritual God. “We shall overcome, we shall live in peace, we shall all be free” words still resonate today in many hearts and minds.
Faith is a necessity to sustain people during times of racial discord. Real people and real events must be told. We all have a story to tell. We need more teachable moments so that we don’t forget. That is why we celebrate black history month for so many more reasons than can be shared in a blog.
For further reflection or study consider this quote and resources:
An Initiative for Social Change by the Smithsonian Museum, Washington D.C. –
“Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past emerges from both centuries of systemic racism and its urgent, present-day reality. With this new initiative, we seek to spark positive social change and build a more equitable future through interdisciplinary scholarship, creative partnerships, dialogue, and engagement.”
THE CIVIL WAR’S BLACK SOLDIERS, National Park Civil War Series, Published by Eastern National, 2016
Leadership Coaching Mentoring Connections 