Why does society keep track of black peoples first for everything?

Question

e.g. The first black coaches to go to the super bowl
The first black person to lose the super bowl; the first black person to win the super bowl..........etc....

Who agrees with Lilly? Yes it is black history month and slavery was abolished YEARS ago. Get over it and move on. So you had a harsh start but so have Indian Americans and where is their month? My point is as long as you need special recognition for every little task accomplished your holding yourselfs back.

Answer 1

It's really a good question. The Wright brothers were the first to fly because, well, they were the first to fly. Neil Armstrong was the first person on the moon because, well, he was the first person on the moon. Then, for some reason, someone got the wonderful idea that the first of different varieties needs to be mentioned. If I ever make it to the moon I'm going to demand that I be listed as the first Scotch/Irish/Cherokee man, with a German wife, and two cats to ever walk on the moon.

Answer 2

Hmmm, I'm white and as far as I can see there are still more tangible advantages to being white over being black. I do think things are changing but there are still many, many communities where blacks "need not apply". My father belongs to a country club where to this day there still are no African American members, not because none can afford to join but because there are not enough votes among the membership to support "the first". When you consider how much business is done of the golf course some African American business people might feel a little shut out. So maybe they do have to work harder to get ahead.

I'm sorry but speaking as a white person who has enjoyed a lot of advantages in life, it is time for a little honesty about white privilege.

Answer 3

Because for most of this country's history few blacks were allowed to do such things. Thus, such "firsts" are taken as signs of progress.

That, and they have to have something to blather about in their 5,000 hours of super bowl coverage.

Over time, people will stop obsessing on race.

But just look at the stuff posted on this site; there are still a LOT of racist morons out there.

Answer 4

Our current culture is determined to celebrate the emergence of individuals of various cultures when they achieve a level of competence in various fields the right way; through hard work, diligence and the application of skills acquired over a lifetime of effort.

I don't think that this concept is restricted to one culture or one race.

We, as a society, need to celebrate achievement whenever possible. If one group seems to be singled out more than others, so be it. It probably means that they were restricted to the darkness of bigotry and injustice, but have now been given the opportunity to achieve and have taken advantage of it.

Answer 5

Because this was/is a white Man's world!!!

Blacks had to sit in the back of the bus, there were white and black bathrooms and drinking fountains.

Gosh do your history!!!

we've never had a Black President or Female President.
Equal rights is a new thing!!!
So we keep track of it for history!!!

duh!!

and it's BLACK HISTORY MONTH
I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE HUMAN RACE HISTORY MONTH!

Answer 6

Because white men have been filling the history-books with falsehoods for centuries and ignoring the contributions of others.

So when a woman or a non-white does something it's notable because there's no record of it being done before.

Answer 7

Because they are portrayed as victims for something that happened a very long time ago that was not caused by any of us still living.

Answer 8

its a shame that in 2007 there are black firsts to keep track of.

Thanks Anj - you're right, the same goes for women.

Answer 9

thy need remind them selves that we black and we not the same its subliminal message so u feel inferia always

Answer 10

I suppose to show that black have made gains in all fields.