The Inequality of Black History Month

[Joseph V]

ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS PIECE WRITTEN BY A FRESHMAN GOING TO RUTGERS UNIVERSITY?


Every February it rolls through public school and leaks through the media, raising what is seemingly becoming a supreme race and culture above the rest of us. This menace is known as “Black History Month“. In the name of “equality”, America dedicates an entire month to highlighting the contributions of prominent Black figures within American society. We are reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.’s accomplishments in the civil rights movement and that George Washington Carver gave us peanut butter. It should be recognized, however, that this month, created to celebrate Black culture, in fact forms the racial divides it seeks to eliminate. Black History Month establishes a precedent for race-based education, and impedes the progress of policies that teach American history as one subject, and does not cater to one specific ethnicity or race.

If society’s intention is to create equality among all cultures that create the melting pot in which we live, then we should seek just that, equality. Each culture, ethnicity, and race should be equally respected and acknowledged, and there should not be some sort of compensation given to the Blacks because of their previous position of servitude in American History. The idea of equality would mean to give respect to all parts of society; by dedicating a month to only one culture’s accomplishment, one disrespects the feats of all other cultures. That, in fact, is the definition of inequality, and is a direct result of Black History Month‘s existence. In our long history, many groups of people who immigrated to the United States were d i s c r i m i n a t e d against: the Jews, the Irish, the Russians, and many others were at some point victims of poor treatment. None of these cultures, however, receive any sort of acknowledgement from today‘s media-certainty not a month’s worth.


It is amazing that different cultures can bring so much benefit to a society, but why not acknowledge all cultures or none rather than just one? Certainly Ben Carson should receive credit for the neurosurgical publications he contributed to medicine, just as Joseph Lee should be commended for the invention of the dough kneading machine, and they are recognized in their respective fields as well as every February. The Irish, however, receive no credit for John Philip Holland’s submarine design which he convinced the U.S. Navy to use, nor do the Hispanics receive national recognition for Dr. Severo Ochoa’s discovery of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), while the Jews see no appreciation for Michel Mirowski’s contribution to the creation of the cardioverter defibrillator. Christopher Columbus, representing the Italian culture, who is often credited with discovering America, is only given one day of recognition (and you‘d be hard pressed to find a school that still gets off for it!). In essence, it would seem that Black History Month makes it clear that you are more deserving of recognition because you are Black, and not because you are brilliant. Thus, this month of celebration prohibits the achievement of equality by letting our greatest successes as a people divide us along racial lines.

With the creation of an entire month to highlight one ethnicity, it seems that society is trying too hard to establish equality . The existence of Black History Month suggests that not only do people feel that Blacks are not equal and feel the need to nationally compensate their race with Black History Month, but they raise the bar to a whole new level and surpass the idea of equality with supremacy. The idea that one culture should receive such outstanding appreciation and gratitude while the rest are just assumed to have the same recognition because they are white, or at least not black, is incomprehensible.


The idea of having a Black History month to uphold equality is, in
the end, absurd. This month of recognition goes beyond equality and, instead of creating a level playing field, unfairly focus on the accomplishments of one race in a nation of so many different peoples. . The only way to create equality in America is to treat all cultures and beings the same, and praise their contributions in the same way. Black History Month is a direct factor in preserving inequality within society. Fighting racism with race-based methods is to fight fire with gasoline.

http://www.rucenturion.com/archive/Feb2007.pdf

its on page 21

[Joseph V]

also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_history_month

[alvin]

None of these cultures, however, receive any sort of acknowledgement from today‘s media-certainty not a month’s worth.

This is not true.

If it's such an inequality lets do away with things like Columbus Day and St. Patty's Day. While we are at it let's do away with every ethnic festival that is celebrated. Oktoberfest bye bye. Armenian festivals, see ya. Ukranian fest 2007 kaput.

Every cultural group within our society celebrates what makes us unique which (should) make this country great. Each group celebrates the way it sees fit. Where is it written that one group can't celebrate for a month. What law says that one group be allowed one day while another is alloted a month. Shit I celebrate Black History every time I look in the mirror...it's celebrated 24-7, 365 in my world.

With the creation of an entire month to highlight one ethnicity, it seems that society is trying too hard to establish equality . The existence of Black History Month suggests that not only do people feel that Blacks are not equal and feel the need to nationally compensate their race with Black History Month, but they raise the bar to a whole new level and surpass the idea of equality with supremacy.

Let's dissect the highlighted part here.

Just who are these "people" that the author speaks of and wouldn't it be safe to assume that since the author used the word "people" as a separate entity and described "Blacks" as something lesser than a person(sub-human).

"not only do PEOPLE feel that Blacks are not equal"

And this person is trying to argue a point about racial divide.

Plus he isn't offering much evidence to back up his claim just his opinion...sounds like a educated version of xian.

Maybe the author wants us to constantly be reminded of this "black his- story"...

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/men.htm

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/women.htm

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/children.htm

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/cartoons/

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/other.htm

when it should be about the struggle of a PEOPLE to overcome an entire SYSTEM set up to hinder a SPECIFIC GROUPS PROGRESS

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/

STILL I RISE

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear - I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear - I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

-Maya Angelou

[Funkenstein]

Originally Posted by alvin

If it's such an inequality. . .celebrate Black History . . .24-7, 365

"...... a ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. From the mast of the unfortunate vessel was seen a signal: "Water, water. We die of thirst." The answer from the friendly vessel at once came back: "Cast down your bucket where you are." A second time, the signal, "Water, send us water!" went up from the distressed vessel. And was answered: "Cast down your bucket where you are." A third and fourth signal for water was answered: "Cast down your bucket where you are." The captain of the distressed vessel, at last heeding the injunction, cast down his bucket and it came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River."
".....to those of the white race who look to the incoming of those of foreign birth and strange tongue and habits for the prosperity of the South, were I permitted, I would repeat what I have said to my own race: "Cast down your bucket where you are." Cast it down among the eight millions of Negroes whose habits you know, whose fidelity and love you have tested in days when to have proved treacherous meant the ruin of your fireside. Cast down your bucket among these people who have without strikes and labor wars tilled your fields, cleared your forests, builded your railroads and cities, brought forth treasures from the bowels of the earth, just to make possible this magnificent representation of the progress of the South."

- Booker T. Washington

The idea of looking inward is something I have advocated for a long while. I said it to Idris and to Binx and I hate that I now say it to you. To belabor the point of race with a website full of jeering, laughable, and almost pitiable lot that sometimes doesn't even know how to handle their OWN plights in life is a mostly meaningless endeavor. Speak to those that will heed it best and to those that need it most.

Don't censor yourself to the point where you stop posting, but do keep in mind your audience on this part of the internet. I may be the Uncle Tom of DDM, but the understanding that I impart stretches beyond color lines. I care for people, not just "black people". In order to strive for equality, you have to take out the color and work with a blank canvas.

Paint the picture as you will, but you have to start clean.

My best to you and to us all.

- Brian K. aka "Rufus P. Funk"

[PETA]

Originally Posted by alvin

If it's such an inequality lets do away with things like Columbus Day and St. Patty's Day. While we are at it let's do away with every ethnic festival that is celebrated. Oktoberfest bye bye. Armenian festivals, see ya. Ukranian fest 2007 kaput.

Those are days and festivals - not months designated to acknowledge people based on race Alvin.

To have a valid comparison you'd need Asian History Month etc

Originally Posted by alvin

Just who are these "people" that the author speaks of and wouldn't it be safe to assume that since the author used the word "people" as a separate entity and described "Blacks" as something lesser than a person(sub-human).

No - that would not be a safe assumption. That would be a ridiculous leap in order to claim that you're an oppressed victim.

There ought to be a superhero who's power is claiming the mantle of victim where ever some one can eke out even the meagerst of argument sthat some one is offended or oppressed (regardless of whether anyone actually is)

Originally Posted by alvin

Plus he isn't offering much evidence to back up his claim just his opinion...sounds like a educated version of xian.

haha - So is it safe to assume then that you regard me as uneducated? Because that specifically would be an opnion that is contrary to fact.

[Deff Gordon]

waiting tables for white people doesn't make you "oppressed" alvin.

[I AM EL-NINO]

Originally Posted by nitetripp

waiting tables for white people doesn't make you "oppressed" alvin.

lolllzzzz

[Nyteshade]

I'm just glad someone was smart enough to make it on the shortest month of the year.

*Does what he can to keep brothas down*

[Funkenstein]

Originally Posted by Nyteshade

I'm just glad someone was smart enough to make it on the shortest month of the year.

*Does what he can to keep brothas down*

/sends pitbulls and the Wu-Tang Clan to your door

[Uhm]

Alvin.....it seems like you want to be angry and bitch just to be angry and bitch. Have you ever been a victim of a hate/race crime, or are you just bandwagoning in order to legitmize the fact that you are Black? Many people of all races could benefit from Rufus. He has the right idea in relation to getting along as one large race. I am as white as white can be, but I call everyone brother. We all came from the same damn place. Whether you like it or not this is the human race that you are a part of. The whites didn't come from the evil depths of Jupiter, just like the Blacks didn't come from the cold dark side of Pluto. We are originated here so plain and simple we are all brothers and sisters in one big ass dysfunctional family.

I am Black Irish to boot......do I get brownie points?

[PETA]

Originally Posted by DJ Uhm

The whites didn't come from the evil depths of Jupiter...

pphhtttfffttt - whatever - I see they've gotten to you too. Pretty soon you'll have us believe that we really did put a man on the moon - then what? huh? next thing you know - cats sleeping with dogs - total anarchy and the breakdown of society as we know it. Proud of yourself Brian? Socity wrecker. Civilization demolisher. geesh man.

[Funkenstein]

Originally Posted by xian

Proud of yourself Brian? Socity wrecker. Civilization demolisher. geesh man.

When you can spell society, I'll let you into it.

- Chief Oligarch and non-supplicant to the Realm, St. Unpious the Third

[Deff Gordon]

Originally Posted by DJ Uhm

Alvin.....it seems like you want to be angry and bitch just to be angry and bitch. Have you ever been a victim of a hate/race crime,

oh yes he has!!!

he was called lennox lewis by some white fool.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Rufus P. Funk

When you can spell society, I'll let you into it.

- Chief Oligarch and non-supplicant to the Realm, St. Unpious the Third

oh yeah?


fuck you!!!

Originally Posted by nitetripp

oh yes he has!!!

he was called lennox lewis by some white fool.

who's Lennox Lewis?

[Coconutfetus]

Originally Posted by xian

Those are days and festivals - not months designated to acknowledge people based on race Alvin.

what i was thinking as well. there is no mexican day or anglo day.