Black History month remains a very important and celebrated time to acknowledge and honor the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans worldwide, especially here in America. This month is set aside to educate Blacks as well as other groups to what should have been historically documented—to share information for all Americans and the world to know. But as we all know, this country has not always been forthcoming in acknowledging and recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of those who were once considered private property (slaves) or the descendants of slaves.
Unfortunately, the accepted practice of Whites intentionally trivializing and ignoring the achievements and worth of their African American counterparts has contributed to an atmosphere resistant to historic fact. Whites, as well as Blacks, continue to foster racist and mendacious views about Blacks, contributing to how they are badly treated by many in society.
Let’s be brutally honest and accept the reality that bias, racist, and discriminatory practices are systemically and bureaucratically incorporated and imposed in America’s social, political, and economic entities with great emphasis in the educational, banking, corporate, and housing industries.
There exist clandestine and privately practiced loopholes that were devised and initiated throughout history to maintain Whites in a dominant position in all areas. Some would argue that racism and discriminatory practices are as American as apple pie. The acknowledgement of Black achievement by the masses lessens the continuation of dominance by those seeking to oppress African Americans.
While there are Whites clandestinely supporting racist practices to continue their era of inherent advantages and privilege, there are some righteous and spiritually motivated Whites seeking truth and justice to eradicate what they see as a big embarrassing sore in our American history. These Whites are open to learning and sharing the beauty and accomplishments of their long suffering brothers and sister in a quest to rectify historic wrongs and make this country the great country it claims to be.
These spiritually led and righteously motivated Whites are defying and refusing to spread lies and myths told by their older family members seeking to continue the practice of hate and racism that keeps their younger generations from embracing and accepting Blacks as their equals.
When Whites as well as Blacks see that Blacks have always been contributing forces throughout American and world history in promoting the betterment of mankind, then it will help improve how many Whites treat Blacks and how Blacks view themselves. These negative and stereo-typical depictions about African Americans projected by media, TV, and movies will then not be so credulously accepted.
When young Blacks children and adults see themselves acknowledged in more positive and productive roles, knowing they have played a pivotal role in uplifting mankind, it will have an positive effect on how they treat each other.
When you have Blacks erasing negative assessments about themselves, fostering self hate, then you have a person who loves and respects himself/ her-self—thus being able to love and respect others, especially people who look like them.
Learning Black history can be a conduit to help deter or eliminate Black gangs, Black on Black crime and the distribution and usage of drugs in so many of our predominately Black communities. Black history is necessary in eliminating this monolithic view of Blacks, where society as a whole, tries to put all African Americans in the same box.
Blacks are basically exposed to a Eurocentric educational system where they don’t learn about enough people of substance that look like them. At an early age, Black children may develop low self esteem and a feeling that people that look like them are unimportant and inconsequential.
Exposure to Black achievements and accomplishments is tantamount in having the world (as well as Blacks themselves) have a greater appreciation and love for African Americans. This can then prove to be a win for everyone.
The emphasis we put on learning about Black history during Black History Month should be continuously practiced throughout the year. We must understand that Black History is history.
Parents, make sure your child’s school participates and celebrates Black History Month. Be mindful that some White teachers are uncomfortable teaching Black history and may many need prompting.
