I think that this is an appropriate topic, now that February
is ending. Everyone knows that February is Black History Month, although this
year it has gotten a lot of attention regarding whether it should stay or it should
go. Earlier this year, Stacey Dash, an African-American actress and FOX News
correspondent, made comments calling for the end of Black History Month and television
networks such as BET, or Black Entertainment Televison, and also criticized black
celebrities who boycotted the Oscars in the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. She
claimed that both of these (and other pro-Black organizations/events) encourage
segregation, rather than integration and that Black History Month shouldn’t be
celebrated because “we’re Americans, period”.
Personally, I think that Dash’s comments were uncouth, and as
a whole I have to disagree. It has been 52 years since the passing of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, and while there has been some progress on ensuring racial
equality, our society is by no means equal for all. Honestly, it’s pathetic how
half over half a century has passed and there is still so much work needing to
be done. I will agree with her statement about the need to move towards a more
integrated society, where people aren’t immediately judged based on the color
of their skin, but the situation is more complicated than that and it is a lot
easier said than done. BET came into existence as a place to air and celebrate
works that are centered around black culture and communities, simply because
these stories aren’t acknowledged on other “white” television networks. During
his lecture, Kiese Laymon, an African-American author and professor, talked
about his struggle with this. His book was a coming-of-age story based on his
personal experiences as a black male living in the South. Penguin Books, the
publisher, told him that he would have to change the setting of his book to the
Northeast and change the main character from a black male to a white female.
This goes to show that this “whitewashing” and disregard of black voices in the
entertainment industry is still prevalent today.
In addition, I think that Black History Month is still
needed because of this reason. While it would be great to say that we no longer
need this because black history is included in our education system and black achievements
are celebrated for 12 months instead of just one, the fact is that oftentimes black
history is not comprehensive or simply excluded from school curricula. I have
seen many comments online that state that it’s “not fair” that only blacks get
a month dedicated to their history (which isn’t true) which is frustrating to
me because it seems like a situation where you’re damned if you do, and damned
if you don’t. In conclusion, I think that Black History Month, BET, and the BET
and NAACP awards are still necessary in today’s context because of this
continued lack of racial representation in the entertainment industry and in
our everyday lives.
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Video of Stacey Dash on FOX News:
Video of Stacey Dash on FOX News:
When it came to your post, I find myself agreeing with your argument saying that Black History Month should continue to exist. A preface to a cartoon caught my eye the other day because it loosely relates to your argument. I am paraphrasing here but the statement went something like: These depictions are of a previous era and while this does not excuse their actions we must view them in the context they were originally presented because to do otherwise would be the same as pretending that these racial depictions never existed. I think to get rid of Black History Month would be along the lines of pretending that events in black culture and the Civil Rights Movement never existed.
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ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the concept you portray here as a situation where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't in terms of the preservation of Black History Month. I would have to agree that we must keep Black History Month because in not doing so, it would require African Americans to abandon their horrific, never-ending struggle in order to integrate into white society. We must also preserve this historical month of recognition because black History is not only relevant to blacks, but it is relevant to all Americans in this country in that it not only honors the Black historic leaders that have altered history, but it reveals just how far this country has come and how far this country still has to go.
ReplyDeleteThis post reinforced the importance of Black History Month and the lack of culture that is represented in the mainstream of American life. Kiese Laymon was so correct when he said that America collectively "whitewashes" just about every feature of American life. Whether it be television networks, social media, The Oscars, or books -- we as a society are guilty. The month itself should serve as a reminder to all Americans that we live together, we work together, and that African Americans are equally as a part of our society as anyone else. Although it is called, Black History Month, it does not make it only relevant to African Americans. This month should be appreciated and understood by all and I think when people disagree with the importance of the month of February, they have been misinformed about the history of our country. The very root of the misconception shows a lack of education about the institution of slavery and race ideology. I can honestly say myself that prior to taking African American Intellect I was not taught nearly enough about the social repercussions that race has in America today. This month should continue to be celebrated as Black History Month, but without understanding the ideology of race and the depths of the institution of slavery, Americans of all races will not fully appreciate the month and all that it represents. Ultimately, I'm suggesting that the vast majority of Americans are uneducated about race ideology and the severity of slavery, and that lack of knowledge has allowed for lingering prejudices and racial issues within society to still exist today.
ReplyDeleteRheanna, your final point about education pinpoints why it is absolutely necessary to keep black history month. We spend much too little time in our education system on the realties of slavery, segregation and racism. Without understanding the past culture of tensions, and often brutal struggle, we cannot move forward into true equality for all individuals. Our history textbooks are whitewashed into a narrative that only speaks of the achievements of white immigrants flourishing in land of opportunity, failing to confront any other race religion or creed experiencing America. Even events that were principally concerned with African American people fail to convey what the black experience was like. For example, when we learn about the Civil War in elementary, middle school, and sometimes even high school. The story that is professed in each classroom is that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and thus ended the horrific act of slavery. Thus we miss key context and ideas about the period and the population, not gain any understanding about what was happening to free blacks in the north as well as slaves in the south. According to our textbooks the southern slaves were silently waiting until their great emancipator came to their rescue and the northerners apparently did not really exist since there was no need to tell their historical narrative, as they are mentioned so little. With those issues still glaring at us daily, I agree whole heartedly we should continue to force a month to be spent where at least some of the story might be conveyed accurately. Hoping year after year we can focus on removing one month, replacing it with a comprehensive, accurate telling of black history in every students’ education.
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