Article: Black History Month--Has Its Time Passed?

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Black History Month--Has Its Time Passed?

February 2006 diversity newsletter

Last December when Morgan Freeman was interviewed on 60 Minutes, he told the audience that he believed it was past time to put an end to Black History Month. His quotable line was, "You're going to relegate my history to a month?"

Freeman's sentiments were reinforced by author and columnist Joyce King in an editorial she wrote entitled "Social climate still requires Black History Month," which appeared in USA Today on January 25, 2006. (You can view this article in the archives at USA Today's website [requires subscription or fee].)

Since then, people have responded strongly on both sides of this issue. Now as we conclude the month in question, we at ProGroup take that question very seriously and want to ask further, "What impact will Black History Month have on your year?" Some agree that separating a particular aspect of diversity is contrary to working together for an inclusive society. Others say that eliminating Black History Month will trivialize black history. Sylvia Cyrus-Albritton, Director of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which originated the observance of what is now Black History Month, points out that our country still has a long way to go toward making its history inclusive. Across the country, legislation is being sponsored to weave black history into all educational curriculums so it is studied throughout the year, thus adding another argument to eliminating the designated month. Another movement calls for expanding Black History Month to the first quarter of each year, which would then be known as "African American Quarter."

After these opinions and others were published, several people asked me for my opinion. Simply put, I feel that Black History Month is still necessary. Having a month set aside to remember black history is a yearly reminder to individuals, schools, corporations, and our government that we still have a long way to go to eliminate racism and a lot of work to do to build appreciation for the contributions African Americans have made throughout our history and continue to make today.

Based on conversations I had while researching this article, I learned from teachers that they are making efforts to weave the history of slavery and the civil rights movement into their history curriculum. They include the achievements, inventions, and contributions of blacks and other minorities in their lesson plans. But, as one teacher said, "It's a lot of work and a work in progress. I'm still struggling with my own lack of knowledge and slanted education, not to mention our school district's lack of current, all-inclusive books."
All of the educators I spoke with said that they look forward to the opportunities created by Black History Month. One seasoned teacher told me, "I love having an entire month to spend introducing the African American heroes that helped make our country what it is. Most of my students don't hear this part of our history at home or through the media. Their parents aren't taking them to the Martin Luther King celebrations or African art exhibits. I give them that gift every February and the children are richer for it!" This teacher wanted to assure me that she doesn't ignore black history during the rest of the year, but it gets extra attention in February.

Next, I asked corporate leaders if they had an opinion. One stated, "We need Black History Month just like we need Women's History Month, Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and the rest. Having these months on the calendar gets us off our duffs so we plan events that build understanding and appreciation of different segments of our workforce and client base. We know that having a few special events in February doesn't give us a `Get Home Free' card for the rest of the year." Another said, "Without this designation, it would be too easy to gloss over what has been a subject that is not talked about. When one of the nationally designated months like Black History Month comes and we're sending out communications and encouraging employees to attend events where they can hear speakers and get involved in community celebrations, we put a spotlight on a segment of the workforce in a positive way. It's needed and worth the effort."

I agree with him. U.S. corporations are full of people who never had the "inclusive education" that columnist Joyce King rightfully says we should have in our schools. Most of us are sorely lacking in knowledge about African American history. How much do you know? I found this online quiz for kids and did it. I wonder how many questions the average adult can answer! You might want to try it: www.factmonster.com.

Another internet link at www.infoplease.com highlights dozens of African American firsts. It's fascinating to see how many notable achievements have occurred in the past few years. Just last week we read in the Chicago Tribune, "Speedskater Shani Davis' victory in 1,000 meter makes him the first black [American] athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics." How easy it would be to overlook these historic moments without time set aside to recognize, remember, and realize them. When we stop noticing and labeling the "first whatever," it may be time to examine the need to single out a specific aspect of diversity—when we simply say, "Shani Davis Wins Gold, the Best Speedskater in the World."

It is my hope that you have taken time during this month to do something special to acknowledge Black History Month, and also enter the coming months with that same sense of celebration, because black history is our history.

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SOURCE(S):
African American History Month (Black History Month) springs from the need for recognition of African American contributions to history. Prior to the 1920s, only fragments of information could be found about African American history. It was widely held that Black Americans had made few contributions to U.S. society or history. Harvard-trained Ph.D. Carter G. Woodson spearheaded Negro History Week in 1926 to raise awareness. It was expanded 50 years later to include the entire month of February.

The February 27 edition of Insight News includes a reprint of an intriguing defense of Black History Month. If you want more information on black history and the ongoing participation of African Americans in vital world events, it is chronicled in community papers like Insight News and Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (both published in ProGroup's home city of Minneapolis), Chicago Defender, The New York Beacon, and others. Perhaps you have one or more papers with a focus on the African American community in your own area. You can find out more with a quick visit to the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a network of the black press in America.