Black History Month: Why Is It Needed? Extraordinary Black Contributors

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
Why do we need Black History Month? A good friend told me that when she was in grade school, her (White) teacher told her that Black people had no history! Nothing could be further from the truth. It angered her but also was the catalyst for her doing extensive research on our history. Now, imagine if you will, teachers all over the country with that attitude, not to mention our history books that left so much Black history out that 99% of it was not taught in our schools. I was disappointed when my college dropped a Black History course. I never found out the real reason why. I will continue to post articles and information during Black History month. I had started a similar thread but I want to bring attention to and honor this month. I will add to this thread as the month goes on.

Someone posted this easy to read article (photos included), 20 Extraordinary Black Americans Who Changed The World, in another forum.
https://www.inspiremore.com/20-extr...g Smile 2-1-21&utm_term=Morning Smile - Daily
 

Here's a brief history of Black History Month featured on Bing.
"Reflecting on Black History Month
Join the Smithsonian as we celebrate Black History Month with the help of our National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This stunning image of the museum looks out through its intricate, bronze-colored façade to the National Mall. The museum's breathtaking exterior, a corona rising in three dramatic tiers, evokes the crowns found in the Yoruba art of West Africa, and its ornate design echoes the decorative ironwork found in the American South, often forged by African American slaves and freed Black Americans. The façade allows natural light to filter into the museum while also protecting artifacts on display from direct sunlight and glare.

For a century, people dreamed of a place on the National Mall to commemorate the contributions of African Americans. It began with Black Civil War veterans and continued with champions of the project like US Rep. John Lewis. The dream was realized in 2016 when NMAAHC finally opened. It tells the story of America through an African American lens with a robust collection of artifacts, programs, and educational material. While helping create the museum as its founding director, I heeded the words of the African American scholar and creator of Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson, who said, 'The only reason I do history is to make America better.'

When Woodson and the Association for the Study of ***** Life and History declared that '***** History Week' would be celebrated the second week of February 1926, they continued a long tradition of Black communities recognizing the month that contains the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14). In 1976, the observance was expanded to the entire month and was celebrated throughout the country. Today, the opportunities to study African American history are more abundant than ever. And Black History Month is just as relevant as it was when Woodson created it, because there is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history, and no higher cause than honoring the struggle of our ancestors by remembering. (This entry was written by Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.)"

The photos are of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The first time I saw the facade in person I was amazed. The top one looking out from the building was featured on search engine Bing's home page today:
AAAHistory Museum Facade.jpg
external-content.duckduckgo.jpg
 
I can only imagine how many extraordinary people there were, now gone, who will never be well known. What a damaging and beyond ignorant comment that teacher made. I think teaching in school does need to change.

In California we learned about the missions in the 4th grade and took field trips which were interesting. But never was it taught what was done to the Native People of this country. Black history was certainly not taught. And it should be. My only concern is that it not be blamed on a person today. But people, including kids should know. I think it helps with empathy.
 
Surely this is about the history of blacks in Western society....because of course, black people are from Africa and Africa has its own history. Is there any reason why black people can't be taught about Africa's history? The title suggests that black people had no place in the world until they were forced into slavery...which is simply not true.
Africans should be proud of Africa and be aware of its past.
 
Sassycakes said:
In my eyes, there isn't any difference between white people or black people with the exception of how horrible black people were and sadly still are treated.
Click to expand...
You have obviously never been to Africa. If you had, you would know that there are big differences between the two. I think it's very insulting to say they are the same, and it's one of the reasons why there is a problem with racism.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Hmmmm....don't know if I've ever heard authentic Trinidadian music Pecos. Can you recommend any songs/artists?
Click to expand...
I wish I could, but I was on Liberty from my ship and was out enjoying some fabulous night clubbing and watching some great dancing. I didn't catch any song titles but it was back in 1964. I was also "young and dumb" and didn't always appreciate things in the way that I do now since I have gotten slightly wiser.

The main difference in their music was the amazing way they brought those steel drums into the music.
 
Last edited:
Rosemarie said:
You have obviously never been to Africa. If you had, you would know that there are big differences between the two. I think it's very insulting to say they are the same, and it's one of the reasons why there is a problem with racism.
Click to expand...
You obviously misunderstood what I stated. My meaning is that Black People are all human beings, just like white people. I also said that they should never be treated as inferiors since we should all be treated equally. They went through more horrible
Things than any other race.
 
Sassycakes said:
You obviously misunderstood what I stated. My meaning is that Black People are all human beings, just like white people. I also said that they should never be treated as inferiors since we should all be treated equally. They went through more horrible
Things than any other race.
Click to expand...
Actually, that isn't true. Slavery has been around for thousands of years. The Romans had slaves, in fact, there probably wouldn't have been a Roman Empire without them.
That doesn't alter the fact that we treated the Africans appallingly.
The point I am trying to make is that black people are Africans and they have their own history. The title 'Black History', suggests that they were non-entities before we removed them from Africa.
It should be changed to 'The History of Blacks in White Society'.
I'm not black but if I were I would feel very insulted by the supposition that we have no history of our own.
 
A Black man invented the Super Soaker! Where would society be without that?

88ac1a230085fd1dc0b61263a5d1c1e6.png
 
Rosemarie said:
Surely this is about the history of blacks in Western society....because of course, black people are from Africa and Africa has its own history. Is there any reason why black people can't be taught about Africa's history? The title suggests that black people had no place in the world until they were forced into slavery...which is simply not true.
Africans should be proud of Africa and be aware of its past.
Click to expand...
It's not necessarily about Blacks in Western society. Why would you get that impression? Every nation has it's own history. Every ethnic group has it's own history and sometimes those historical events blend. So I think making that statement about Africa having it's own history was unnecessary. Africa is the cradle of civilization. Posts about Africans will be forth coming. The month just started. And how does the title suggest that Black people had no place in the world until slavery. Sorry but I find your interpretations to be a bit bizarre!
 
Last edited:
OneEyedDiva said:
It's not necessarily about Blacks in Western society. Why would you get that impression? Every nation has it's own history. Every ethnic group has it's own history and sometimes those historical events blend. So I think making that statement about Africa having it's own history was unnecessary. Africa is the cradle of civilization. Posts about Africans will be forth coming. The month just started. And how does the title suggest that Black people had no place in the world until slavery. Sorry but I find your interpretations to be bizarre!
Click to expand...
Not at all. We're having the same 'Black History' thing here in the UK and it's also about black people's contribution to Britain. It would be interesting to get some input from black people, to see if they find the title mis-leading and arrogant.
Africa has a rich history and 'Black History' should embrace that, but it doesn't.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Why do we need Black History Month?
Click to expand...
If we don't pass history on to our offspring, it tends to get lost
And history of horrendous things, when lost, tend to repeat themselves

Had kids question me about Auschwitz, like did it really happen

Heh, I questioned my folks about the mistreatment of the Irish when they came over
They didn't know what I was talking about

Yeah, sweep something under the rug, it'll show up again
 
Pecos said:
One group of Black Servicemen who were seriously underappreciated were the Tuskegee Airmen who distinguished during WWII. Upon their return to the states, German prisoners of war were treated better than they were.
Click to expand...
We brought our grandson to their memorial in Walterboro SC last year... At 8 he is a WWII nut, he spent the next day hunting up info on the phone about them.. (we were camping)
 
Rosemarie said:
Not at all. We're having the same 'Black History' thing here in the UK and it's also about black people's contribution to Britain. It would be interesting to get some input from black people, to see if they find the title mis-leading and arrogant.
Africa has a rich history and 'Black History' should embrace that, but it doesn't.
Click to expand...
We'll agree to disagree on that Rosemarie. Maybe Africa's history is not included where you are but I've seen many social networking posts and news articles over the years in which African history is included.
 
If we ever get that damn virus under control, and people start visiting Washington, DC again, I very much recommend a visit to the African American museum. It is a heartbreaking and inspiring history of the Blacks in this country, from slavery up to the present.

However, it really is just the African AMERICAN museum. I don't remember seeing a whole lot about the fascinating cultures and peoples of Africa. I know this is a rich, varied story in itself; after all, Africa is an entire continent. Yet Americans (maybe the entire western world) knows practically nothing about it. Exhibits about all the different African cultures would take up another entire museum! I wish we had one. Just the art and clothing would be fantastic, in addition to all the stories that are probably buried in that history.

We do have a museum about the Native American tribes, which I always intended to visit and never got around to. Maybe some day I'll be able to get there.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top