tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872220190320311355.post3128719964688124094..comments2023-06-08T09:25:17.078-07:00Comments on African American History, Fall 2012 : Buckle Up: Thoughts on Black History Month Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872220190320311355.post-53192724190348284482012-12-05T08:37:53.298-08:002012-12-05T08:37:53.298-08:00I completely agree with Gabrielle. In high school,...I completely agree with Gabrielle. In high school, during Black History Month, we learned of various African-American pioneers who spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement. However, we were constantly drilled on the names of these African-Americans. We were never given background knowledge concerning their accomplishments and the obstacles they rose above. Instead, their achievements were simplified to a trite statement taken out of its historical context, such as “Harriet Tubman led the Underground Railroad.” I feel as if this almost diminishes the significance of their struggles and contributions. I think that in order for Black History Month to be effective in relaying the narratives of various African Americans and their contributions to our society, it is imperative that their contributions are weaved into a historic perspective. A few of my peers in the past have mentioned that perhaps Black History Month is inherently racist, which I didn’t find true because the month doesn’t promote the superiority of one race over the other. Instead, Black History Month emphasizes the significance of overlooked accomplishments of various African Americans. However, as Morgan Freeman posited, I also do believe that the accomplishments of African Americans shouldn’t only be relegated to one month, but I do see the merit in the publicity and the raising of awareness that comes with Black History Month. I think that until history books emphasize and weave the contributions of all minorities to the American narrative instead of just a mere chapter dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement, it is necessary to raise awareness through Black History Month. <br />SunnyMattancherilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01423971213556503468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872220190320311355.post-46684605025750008462012-12-04T23:25:17.816-08:002012-12-04T23:25:17.816-08:00Jenna, I am so glad you brought up this issue. I w...Jenna, I am so glad you brought up this issue. I would argue a continuation of what Morgan Freeman said when asked what should be done about racism, which is, "stop talking about it." A black history month only encourages the master narrative and often fails to celebrate those outside of it. While I do not agree at all with McWhorter that black history is sufficiently taught in school, I think distinguishing black history from "US" history for a month does more harm than good. To compromise, I would like to see a single day set aside as a celebration of black history and a mourning for the lives destroyed by discrimination. I realize that we already have MLK day, but that is a celebration of a person rather than encompassing a rich history of the African American journey. Spreading black history over a month of recognition causes notice of black history to be lost amongst the other things going on within that 28 day period. The length allows people to feel as if they can just be concerned with learning about black history during February, while it would be impossible to learn a significant amount of information about black history in a day. By default, having one day set aside will cause the greater knowledge about black history to meld into learning about American history as a whole throughout the rest of the year. This day also solves Gabrielle's concern about the importance of recognizing diversity and the sacrifices of the African American community.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06204560599813622686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872220190320311355.post-33708350339202427862012-12-04T22:01:54.917-08:002012-12-04T22:01:54.917-08:00This is a really interesting issue that I have als...This is a really interesting issue that I have also thought about quite a bit since beginning this course. To answer your question, I do think Black History Month attempts to serve a purpose in American society, but I do not believe that it always accomplishes its purpose. By calling attention to the history of a minority group of people in a certain month of the year, Americans are reminded of our country’s rich diversity as well as the struggles and obstacles that minority groups have had to overcome in order to achieve status as Americans. However, this is pretty much the extent of what months like “Black History Month” or “Hispanic Heritage Month” do for Americans. These months merely acknowledge that minority groups exist and that they have had to struggle to attain freedom and equality in the United States, but there really is nothing further said or done to make people aware of the historical complexities and unsung heroes of minority groups. For example, images on Black History Month posters are usually limited to the faces of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, even Oprah. Yet how many Americans know the work of Ida B. Wells? Or Fannie Corbett? Or James Lawson? These people were also important figures for helping blacks achieve equality as American citizens, yet their efforts and struggles are overshadowed by the problematic, and often times hollow, master narrative that seems to dominate the media and history books. While I do think it is important to remember the history of minority groups in America, I think our society needs to be more aware of that history every day, not just one month out of the year. Unfortunately, this change in mindset will be very difficult to achieve and I do not think it will happen in America any time soon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02231485571009555350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8872220190320311355.post-16746097428747050882012-12-04T20:23:12.419-08:002012-12-04T20:23:12.419-08:00First, I would just like to applaud you for writin...First, I would just like to applaud you for writing such a well-written, thought-provoking post. I never really questioned Black History Month until I got to college and even then I do not see the need to abolish it. If this month of recognition did not occur, would people know as much about prominent African Americans and their contributions to society or would they learn it all in history class in the textbooks? I doubt it. Some people are only aware of the history and the contributions made by some of the people highlighted because it is continuously emphasized throughout the month of February, rather than them personally seeking the information or having an intimate tie to the history. It's interesting that McWhorter would state that history books greatly expound on the topic of slavery. Is Slavery the only topic concerning Black History? And what textbook does he have, because I want it! Never have I come across a textbook that is not a repeat of the master narrative or an objective view of any aspect of history, so African American history would not be an exception. Black History Month has a purpose and if we are going to challenge the necessity of it then we also have to challenge other months dedicated to other minorities. Destiny A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16351043513770303405noreply@blogger.com