The Insignificance of Black History Month

It has been argued by many that Black History Month(BHM) shouldn't be celebrated in the shortest month of the year. Others view Black History Month with the same opposition of Affirmative Action, as both are considerable representations of reverse racism. The reason this conversation is so important is because the purpose, relevance, and celebration of this month are not in alignment. Results are guaranteed to be in a disarray if there is a lack of consensus.

Black History Month may have been created with the intent to educate and appreciate, but that dream today seems to have been deferred. Just think about it. Recall how American society goes through each holiday; Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, July 4th, Memorial Day, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day. All these “special days” get recognition from television/radio/internet advertisements to sales/bargains on purchases. How much promotion can we admit is given to Black History Month? The holidays above transcend cultures and races within the U.S. But BHM is only noteworthy to mostly Blacks. Why is that? Even that relevance isn’t as substantial as it should be. Seriously, how many times can the same stories be told year in and year out? Don’t get it confused, I love King, Douglas, Parks, and Tubman as much as the next person of color, but when are some other narratives going to be shared? If we know that so many others exist when will we sit down and evaluate why they aren’t being publicized? What’s being hidden?

The problem is there are not enough Black people that truly care enough to do something. Can we really expect the “dominant” group to care? One can only hope that’s not what we are waiting for? You know Black History Month is irrelevant in this country when a whole month dedicated to the uplifting of a group of people that have been plagued for many years, only focuses on the coverage of the Super Bowl, All Star Weekend, the Grammys, and the Oscars. With this knife of truth, the harsh reality comes that Blacks need to stop relying on others to do what they can do. Take control over your own past and the distribution of that knowledge. Unite with your people who fight the same fight as you, rather than viewing them as your adversaries/opponents. Show the “dominant” group that if they won’t empower and spread knowledge and truth then they don’t need the Black consumerism. Jews are respected because they took control over their own. When will Blacks stop looking for validation outside of their selves and find it within?

If BHM was so substantial why is it separated from “regular” history? Why is it only relevant to Blacks? If those opposite of Black don’t find Black History worthy of being learned, isn’t it clear who the enemy truly is? Toss this question around: Why is it that the average Black person in the U.S. knows more about other races rather than their own, but those of the Caucasian persuasion are very rarely educated on Black History. The more things are omitted from history people start to learn a different version of what actually happened.

Education is key for elevation. If there is no real educating happening in Black History Month, then it is a false representation of advancement. It appears to be to the benefit of Blacks, but it isn’t. Racial discrimination continues to thrive in this country, so how far have we really gotten? Oppression has just changed its face, but it is all the same. Don’t think the Obamas changed the true heart of this country. Blacks are still reduced to being undereducated, overpopulated/incarcerated, poorly nourished and a host of other forms of racial warfare. The weapons in this war just advanced and now it is time to take off those chains, stop conforming and giving in to the instruments of mental slavery, and elevate to something that is better, and far from complacency. Remember, there is a reason why an educated Black is way more dangerous than a physically strapped one.

Keep watch and stay woke.

#blacklivesmatter #blackhistorymonth #bhm #february