Black History Month.....outdated? Should it be 'Black Culture Month' instead?

Question

I wondered how people feel about the 'celebrations' held for black history month. In my town, there are celebrations relating to food, culture, music, heritage and I think they are all very positive. But WHY are they giving presentations/talks/dramatisations about SLAVERY? I have a mixed race child and I certainly won't involve her in this kind of event. What is the point of continually going on about how some black people were brought here due to slavery? Yes it happened but surely that is not worth analysing every single year? Why not focus on the positives and talk about black role models today?

Answer 1

I agree with you.I can't help but think that it's high time they let it go and focus on the positive.
I'm not saying in the least that the slavery issue should not be brought up at all because it's good the younger generations know but I feel that there's too much focus on it.
Most black people don't know their own history.They take in what they see and hear at these things and the hate starts all over again.
They have absolutely no idea that after the civil war marshall law was declared in some of the southern states because there were so many problems.Most of the soldiers after the war wanted nothing more than to return to their families and walked off.The most that remained were in the black militia.And rather than turn the other cheek and show the white folks that they were better than them in their treatment of others.The black militia ran rampant murdering white men and raping white women and young girls in the street. It was not safe for a white person to walk down the street. In truth they were'nt safe in their homes either.If a black man could'nt support his family he went to the black militia and complained and they'd forcefully remove a white family from their homes and buisnesses and let the black man move in.
It was at this time the KKK was formed.The whites had complained to the federal government only to have it turn a deaf ear.They had no other recourse but to find a way to protect themselves.
Unfortuneately- todays members of the KKK have no idea why they hate black people they just want to hate someone.It's completely ignorant.
I cannot site my sources but I can tell you my information came from the library.I ran across the information when I was 14. I'm 48 now. But I'm sure there are many more books on the subject still there waiting to be opened.And maybe if more were the prjudice issue would die completely.

Answer 2

In my area we call it Unity month. We focus on historical contributions of all cultures in the United States. With my fourth graders, we did mention slavery because we talked about people like Frederick Douglass. We also talked about the Civil Rights movement and how there were some black people who didn't want it and there were other cultures that helped with it.

Answer 3

Black: this is a person's name, and not a word to glamourise an ethnic group. Slavery is not against the law, the trade in slaves (agency work) is. 18 months at sea, in the two most treacherous waters in the world, fighting every european country and some, and with only a hundred ships! Like to see how it was done. Negroids have been flooding into York for before roman times. Ever seen the history of british life, what did they get out of it all?

Answer 4

I agree, slavery was abominable and a terrible time in our history, but it is time to move on, we cannot keep on apologising for something that happened hundreds of years ago and people should now consider that a better term would be Black Culture Month, after all how many of us still think or talk about the variety of invaders who have conquered the indigenous peoples of these islands.

Answer 5

Yes there should be a balck culture month - but history summarises cultaure too - because you also look at society, black politics, black leaders, as well as culture ans ways of living!!

I know what you meant houg, but our black history is tooo limited on slavery - what about the black leaders of our times, such as the Egyptian Queens, or great African kings - no one remebers them

or the person that invented the traffic light!!!

black politcians and leadersd - and im not just talking abouit MArttin Luther king!#
I also think we should keep it as Black Histroy / Culture month and not mix it up and chnage it to international month - because you have lent, you have diviali, you have eid and easter - why can't we dedicate just one month to the successes of our people!!!!!!

Answer 6

Reliving history is important for a sense of perspective. What about non-black people who disparage blacks because of slavery? Or the fact that slavery still exists in a few countries?

Those enslaved and their descendants should not be ashamed. This is real history, it should be used to learn, and yes, the bravery of a Harriet Tubman and intelligence of Frederick Douglass is important.

Don't teach your child to be ashamed of any part of his heritage.

Answer 7

It is Black History Month because black history is often hidden from mainstream history. In schools Black History is rarely talked about in the curriculum. Because of Black history has been hidden in this way, we need to educate people about all aspects of history and this is done in a great way by having Black History month. It would be even better if it was incorparated into mainstream history - but it isn't.
There are a lot of positive black role modals throughout time and it is important that children are educated about that, paticually your daughter who is mixed race. Do you know about Oladiah Equiano? find out about him and his mixed race daughter who was one of the best composers of her time (which is fantastic in light of the fact that she was female and black living in the UK) . Did you know that the steam engine, the telephone, bubble wrap and hundreds of other important inventions were invented by black people? So often though white people have taken credit for their invention, now it's time we reclaimed this history to teach to our children in the correct way.
Go along to the events with your daughter, you'll learn something, and be encouraged.

Answer 8

I suppose I would be labelled a rascist if I asked why there are no white 'history months and role models' though it's OK to have black history months and role models.

Answer 9

Black history month should be every day of the year. Blacks helped build the econmony of this country and it should be recognized as such. African Americans should also be entitled to their own flag, considering that we never received financial compensation for the work done by our ancestors.

Answer 10

February is Black History Month in my city and state. We also have continuiing education projects every month of the year. Best wishes! :)