author: Silent Diplomat
Once again, another year passes, and I find myself encompassed by the excitement shown by my peers, when it comes to the celebration of ‘Black History Month’. It is a time, with which many will reflect and look upon the struggles and achievements endured and obtain by historical ‘Black’ figures. Typically, you’ll hear about Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mohammed Ali, and the few others that we continue to hear about every year, around this time. What you won’t hear, are names like Paul Bogle, Maurice Bishop, Angela Davis, Mariam Makeba, Barak Obama, David Green, etc. These individuals as well as many others who go unmentioned and unnoticed have contributed a lot to the progression of ‘Black’ people today. The problem with this is that many are unaware of what they’re celebrating, and why it is they’re celebrating it.
While speaking with many of my peers, I asked two key questions. The first one being, “How did Black History Month come about?” and secondly, “What occurred in the month of February, for us to say that this is the month to celebrate Black History?”. I can tell you firsthand, that very few, if any, attempted to or could even answer my questions. This once again brings me back to, why it is, we celebrate a history unknown to us?! Is it done, because we choose to follow a trend that seems universal? Do we feel obligated to celebrate a calendar event set out for us? If the thought has even crossed your mind that one of these honestly fits you, then is this not an injustice that we’re doing to those before us?
During the Civil Rights Movement, things were rough for many African Americans, but at the same time, they had a better sense of self, and were able to prevail against all odds. We look back and say, we wouldn’t like to live in that time period, b/c there were too many restraints, too much racism; it seems too depressing and difficult to deal with. Yet now a days, if you were to ask those same ones who endured the peaks of the Civil Rights Movement, they’ll tell you that, you have opportunities, but no sense of unity. The restraints have been removed, but the individual chooses to remain complacent. The racism is stronger and deadlier than it was back then, but we sense freedom, when in fact, our minds our constantly confined and refined to believe what’s before us, without questioning it. Harsh as this may be, it’s a fair analysis to say the least.
Essentially, I can’t relate to the hype of Black History Month, as I see it as a great insult to those before me, those presently amongst me and those to follow. To limit my appreciation to them in just a mere month is a slap in the face and a detriment to my well-being. Once February is over, so then is the appreciation and the hype. The celebration of emancipation goes unaccounted for, renaissance eras hold no meanings, lessons taught, become easily forgotten, names and legacies are lost in the wind, and most importantly, a sense of self is never achieved. In the end, Black History Month, and many of those who confine this celebration to 28 days, is nothing more than a celebration of recognizable ignorance and further dissension. I say this, because I was once a victim of this. Free the mind and watch as the body follows. As Marcus Garvey once said, “The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness”, wear it proud 365 days of the year.
I’ll bet you don’t celebrate Christmas because it’s “confined” to just one day either, right?
First I’d like to point out that I’m not the author of the piece however I do see the validity of the statements. Hence the reason I posted them on this blog. The sentiment isn’t whether or not the day is worthwhile but more along the lines of simply saying there is a day draws away from the fact that being who you are should be a life long day by day year round “hobby”. No, I don’t really celebrate holidays they come and I participate but for me a day is a day. If you feel that designating one day out of the year and perpetuating it as more than it is makes you more black and more proud then that is not up to me to deny you the day. But, be constructive. Another point the article brought up is that there is no understanding of the true meanings behind many of the topics brought up. Many who do understand are considered extremist or archaic. So the question is why celebrate what you don’t understand and you don’t know the meaning of. Why not instead try to make every day as significant as this day giving it more specialty when it comes around. Before you make a comment read and understand. My reasons for not celebrating Christmas is many fold…one being the fact that the truth of the holiday is no longer found-(not up to me to research that for you) and second the sentiments of said celebrations are in no way conducive to productivity in my life. However that is me, not the world and this piece was about black activism not religion.