Why does black history get its own month? Isn't that an example of racism?
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| (Well...) |
To those questions, I would say no. It is not a representation of racism because the goal of Black History Month is to celebrate the achievements of African Americans for their central roles in U.S. history. If the purpose and result of Black History Month is calling African Americans superior to other races then yes, there is an argument of racism there. However, Black History Month is more about raising awareness for the accomplishments of individuals that are often overlooked in history classes. Answering the presumptuous man in the meme above, the reason why we don't have a white history month specifically is because the achievements and contributions of whites are regularly spoken about and taught in classrooms and everyday lives. There is no need to further highlight them by dedicating a full month to white achievements, we as a society already do that all year long.
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| (Do you recognize these prominent figures? Did you learn about them throughout your history classes or just during Black History Month?) |
Black History Month was started by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans and was originally known as "Negro History Week." Their hope is that one day the week would be eliminated because black history is American history. The group now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) sponsored the first national Negro History Week in 1926 on the second week of February, which coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In response to the Civil Rights Movement and growing black identity, by the late 1960s, Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially named February as Black History Month. Other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom have also designated the celebration of black history in a month.
Arguments FOR Black History Month
- This month can be significant in highlighting the challenges African Americans faced in the past and in modern society.
- Helps people understand the privileges gained by past figures who fought for what they believed in.
- Gives an opportunity to highlight the best of African American culture rather than allow stereotypes (poverty, incarceration rates, drop outs) to persist.
- Since most people are more knowledgeable about "white" history, if there isn't an opportunity to cultivate black history into people within this month, when will people learn about their past?
- Since black history has yet to be incorporated fully into the education curriculum, the original goal of it persists and thus it must remain as an awareness month.
- There are many months celebrating different cultures and ideas such as Breast Cancer Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women’s History Month.
Arguments AGAINST Black History Month
- Black history is American history, if it is taught like it should be then there is no need to have this month.
- Even though students learn about the achievements of prominent African Americans, they learn little about the background historical context these figures lived in. Not only does this serve little to tie the achievements into time periods, it also trivializes the fact that these people lived during time periods where racism was still verbally and visibly prominent.
- It is racist to designate one month to one race of people when there are plenty of other races that are not being represented, this further fuels racial inequality.
- Since black history is singled out for one month, the teachings of it is not focused on incorporating it into the curriculum. If Black History Month is taken away, then black history will be taught along the appropriate time line like it should be.
- Even though there are different months celebrating certain groups and cultures, should history be broken into pieces and delivered to students with emphasis in certain times rather than as a whole.
- History is already taught in sectionalized format and not in a linear, time-oriented way that it is already difficult for students to really comprehend that there are many important points in history that overlap at the same time period. If black history is only being emphasized in one month and with only certain aspects highlighted, students will not be able to fully associate it as a part of American history.
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| (Yes? No?) |
Writer Raina Kelly asks an interesting question and provides a statement that sums up an interesting idea that goes past the argument of Black History Month, but focuses on the racial disparities and disadvantages present in modern society:
"Rather than wasting time bemoaning the existence of Black History Month, why don't we use it to proselytize for the issues that need to be more fully covered and understood the other 337 days of the year-such as failing inner-city public schools, institutionalized poverty, health-care disparities, and job discrimination?
Black History Month is a measure of how fully or accurately our story is being told and
a reminder of the work yet to be done."
Resources
Davids, Sherelle. "Why Black History Month Needs to Be Celebrated."Equality and Diversity at LSE. N.p., 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. <http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/diversity/2011/10/why-black-history-month-needs-to-be-celebrated/>.
History.com Staff. "Black History Month." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. <http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month>.
Nittle, Nadra K. "Do We Still Need a Black History Month? Arguments for and Against." About. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. <http://racerelations.about.com/od/historyofracerelations/a/IsBlackHistoryMonthRelevant.htm>.
This is an interesting thought and would have made an interesting debate in class. I absolutely think there should be, but it's interesting to learn that this is being debated and the stances that people are taking
ReplyDeleteWhile this is an interesting thought and both arguments are valid I do agree with the fact that whites have a bit more recognition with past historical accomplishments, but is that because that is what we are primarily exposed to growing up? Is this argument a result of historical social construct because back then whites took positions as doctors and teachers and established a curriculum that has been drastically altered but still follows similar guidelines, like the introduction to european migration and the colonization of New England? However, with that being said every person wants to know about their ancestors and heritage so if all this information was integrated into the usual curriculum to "equalize" the ethnical playing field can you imagine all of the information we would have to learn and be tested on? So much of history happened all at the same time and where they may be teaching children about the first hand experiences of Apartheid in Africa and about classical antiquity in Europe, they teach the voyage of Columbus and the Boston Tea Party in the US.
ReplyDeleteI think it is best that we have each of the holidays, celebrations, recognitions and appreciation days we have for all cultures and ethnicity's. It is obvious there still isn't 100% equality so I don't think it's fair for whites to make the argument of having a white history month. Whites can be too highly praised because historically we have had the resources to do more but Black History Month is deserving...Still one question stands. Why don't we support all the other minority groups and their historical achievements?
Originally I planned to comment about the fact that Black History Month shouldn't be necessary and there should be enough focus on the accomplishments of blacks in regular history classes and books but after reading Sarah's comment my opinions have changed. There is still so much focus on white history and of whites being the central players in these stories about our nation, and everyone else seems to be a background character or supporting roles while whites are the lead. America is supposed to be a melting pot yet the history that everyone is taught makes it seem like there is only one figure in history that is important and it is the white man. Black History Month is important because it shows that there are many sides to a story and that there needs to be recognition of that. There also should be other months recognizing the importance of alllllllll the other ethnic groups that have contributed to the history of our country. We cannot simply say that there are only a few contributors to this melting pot. It is important to recognize them all, whether they are included as more principle roles in history books or if they get a month too but it is important to acknowledge their roles in shaping our nation.
ReplyDeleteAfter being oppressed for so many years and overcoming so much I do not see how you could argue that the accomplishment of Black America cannot be celebrated. African Americans have brought so much to this country that we would not have accomplished without them. With white America being the majority and also the oppressors of Blacks in our history, I see no reason in celebrating our accomplishment in terms of skin color.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very interesting post and that if we had the time, should definitely be talked about in class. I think that there really is a big focus on white history and how whites were vital to forming America but never how African Americans established being their own people. How African Americans finally were seen as equals, although to this day is still questionable in some manners. People talk about how America land of the free and all of the accomplishments that America has faced, but in reality, has really only talked about the success of white Americans. I think that having Black History month we can focus on the achievements that Black people fought so hard for in attaining their own freedom because growing up, so many people were only taught what white Americans did for us. It's vital that we see what accomplishments African American's have done for their own freedom, and what they have done for all of us as well.
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