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Celebration not about color
Published Friday, February 5, 2010
Our country has come a long way in the past 100 years, culminating with the election of President Barack Obama, the nation's first black commander in chief.
And maybe the day will one day come when we don’t need to have Black History Month to recognize contributions and achievements by black Americans, but we aren't there yet.
This recognition was first marked in 1926, the initiative of historian Carter G. Woodson. For his week-long event, Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass.
The rememberence was later expanded to all of February.
Nearly 85 years later, the importance of recognizing February as Black History Month hasn't diminished, and it could be argued that it is more important than ever so we can all understand a facet of how our nation was built.
Truly, this month-long celebration is as much about American history as it is black history.
Area universities and organizations should be commended for their efforts to put together a variety of events promoting diversity and heritage.
Ohio University Southern, Shawnee State University, Ashland Community & Technical College and the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center are just a few that are hosting a variety of events too numerous to list here but all of which have been reported on in The Tribune.
These events are designed for the entertainment and education of people of all colors, regardless of the name of the month.
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Comments
Posted by henryjose06 (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 1:41 a.m.
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Posted by indieVoter (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A few years ago my son had a writing assignment for black history month. Most of the kids were doing their papers on people like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. I suggested Medgar Evers and he followed through. His teacher's initial response? Who is Medgar Evers??
You're right, we're not there yet. It's not time to stop recognizing Black History month yet. In fact, as long as we have people who feel the need to marginalize, excuse and apologize away the fact that it's "black" history recognized...as if that were even necessary in the first place...we'll still not be there yet. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone come up with a comment explaining or justifying remarks but people are smart enough to read between the lines.
Posted by Noesis (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I wouldn't be surprised to see someone come up with a comment explaining or justifying remarks but people are smart enough to read between the lines."
How typical of a liberal... if you dissent it's because you are a racist. That's their answer to everything.
Posted by indieVoter (anonymous) on February 6, 2010 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would call it lack of progress or maybe slow progress, not racism. The point stands either way.
Posted by Noesis (anonymous) on February 7, 2010 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lack of progress??? We just elected our first black President! You have no point!
Posted by caglewis (anonymous) on February 10, 2010 at 2:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How ironic that it is during "Black History Month" that the same tactics, language and terms coined during the huge fight by Republicans against passage of Civil Rights legislation back in the 1960's [which they thankfully lost] has resurfaced.
I find it amazing and horrific that people are so proudly oblivious/ignorant of history, and want to go back to those good old "Jim Crow" days when "education and gaining knowledge" was ridiculed as "wimpy" for some and forbidden to others and no one with darker skin was worthy of any freedom/respect.
You Republicans are big on Constitional stuff - go back and read it - it's a document about freedom - not about gaining the power to force your belief's on others.
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