DID WE DIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH?

[sukkafu]

i have been fascinated by an ongoing pbs documentary narrated by richard roundtree about black history and tonight it was up to the 1900-1930's-with w.e.b. dubois, and the blacks in ww1, and lynchings,and jazz musicians.

saturday night i watched 2 movies- ''brother future'' directed by roy campanella jr. and also i watched ''heart of dixie'' with ally sheedy. both are good movies about
racial inequality.

we believe that black history and holocaust history is essential to remind our children not to carry ugly in their hearts.nor to tolerate it.

[earthangel]

Didn't we recognize BHM? Oh wait, that was MLKJ's Bday. Well for one thing, black history certainly hasn't been forgotten. Well, not by me at least. One day I was gettin ready for school one day and I was flicklin' through channels and on Nickelodeon they had a special on black TV. The segment they did on Sammy Davis Jr. was so touching.

[iratherlikeme]

Man, why do I always forget about PBS?

When I was in high school, this girl and I thought we could get black facts read over the intercom during the month of February. This girl told us, you need to learn white history first. Mistakenly, I thought that's what we did January through December anyway. At my schools when I was growing up, they'd put up a couple of posters (MLKJ and Rosa Parks and maybe Harriet Tubman) and that was supposed to satisfy us until March. Now that I'm older, I'm especially glad for the internet and the fact that I can go to the library by myself (;D) because I can research anything I want when I feel like it. Now I just have to actually get to it.

[Ivory Fair]

Well........... since we talk about the Tempts and Motown and other "Soul" groups, don't we kinda celebrate black history here EVERY day?

And while I'm all for highlighting various African American achievers and significant events so that we can get over the notion that the only history blacks have is slavery, I've never been fond of separating out black history. Even though Jim Crow TRIED to keep us "separate" we (blacks and whites) NEVER have been truly separate from one another. We've always shared a common, symbiotic relationship. So while separating black history is a necessity now because so many of us grew up learning NOTHING about the achievements and contributions of African American's in this nation's history, it is my hope that one day ALL history lessons will be given in a manner that reflects the commonalities and mutual contributions that both groups have had on one-another's past.

[tdallasw]

OUTSTANDING comments, Ivory!

[Ivory Fair]

Thanks dallas! Coming from (((((you))))) that means a lot!

[Nish]

Ivory, eloquently stated! I don't really celebrate "Black History Month" per se. I think it's a daily celebration, a lifelong celebration. By doing higher education, hopefully I'm building upon what the Little Rock 9 fought for. By having meaningful friendships with folks from other backgrounds, hopefully I work toward the MLK dream. By merely loving the work of Smokey, Inez, the Tempts, Mr. and Miss Rhythm (Andre Williams and Ruth Brown), McCoy Tyner, etc., we celebrate the vibrant artistry. Black history is a lived experience for me.

[Ivory Fair]

And that's as it should be .......... also, thanks, that means a lot coming from (((((you))))) too.

We have a unique thing going on here. Generally speaking American's don't associate with people of different ethnic/whatever groups like we have the opportunity to do here. We are truly blessed and our lives are enriched for having known one another.

[Aba21]

Ivory ......let me add my agreement to your comments. I have lived a portion of Black History as well as learning more in my life and I don't need to validate it each year. It is an ongoing history just as it is for any other ethnic group. I celebrate it everyday that I live! But can I ask you one thing.....when your people were giving out months for BHM........don't you think you could have given us a month with at least 30 days? I mean we have to wait every four years just to get to 29! 30 days wouldn't killed you would it? ;D ;D

[earthangel]

LOL. That question's been asked more than once. The month set aside for black history is the shortest month of the year.

[Ivory Fair]

ha haaaa! Well, white folks have climbed to the top of the social pyramid by screwing everybody else on the way up, so that's just ONE more way we came up with to do it! You've heard of back-handed compliments, well, I guess that was a back-handed present! ;D

Seriously, do you know how Black History month ended up being in February? (Forget about it being the shortest month, it's also the HARDEST to spell!) Well, Frederick Douglass' birthday was in February and what started out as "Frederick Douglass Day" and later grew to "Frederick Douglass Week" later became "Black History Month."

So don't blame me, blame Freddie's mamma!!!!

And also Carter G. Woodson, the brotha who's idea it was to do it in the first place.

www2.worldbook.com/features/features.asp?feature=aajourney&page=html/bh006.html&direct=yes

[Aba21]

I knew a white person would have the RIGHT ANSWER!!!!! ;D ;DThanks Iv!!!

[Ivory Fair]

A "right" answer or a "white" answer? ;D

[Aba21]

Both!!!! ;D

[Ivory Fair]

Is the white answer the right answer? ............ Just because my skin is white, does that make me RIGHT!!!

Well, I AM right all the time, but the color of my skin has nothing to do with it. ;D

I have wants and desires, just like you, so move on aside 'cause I'm a coming through!