Once again, the second month of the year is rolling around and that means Valentine’s Day, and of course, Black History Month.
I wrote a response about two years ago to a young woman whose intent was to challenge the population to find something else besides “Roots” and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to celebrate black culture. I would have to agree that that sounds like a solution to the matter.
However, I would like to propose another way to solve the problem: Do away with Black History Month. Now, some of my fellow students are probably reading this and becoming more and more angry with every word. Bear with me.
All I am saying is that we, black people, are not quite an endangered species, we are not wildlife to be studied and reported on and we most certainly are not a subculture in American society. We are a valid part of America and our history should be included in history books right alongside the passages about Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and George Washington.
After all, our history as black Americans is the history of the country and the history of White America as well.
To give black Americans a month of the year and say, “Here, this is for you” is like saying that we don’t deserve to be celebrated every other month of the year.
As I stated earlier, we are not wildlife to be studied. You give animals a structured time to be celebrated.
Black people mean more to society than that and cannot not possibly be celebrated in one month alone. So, this year, don’t fall victim to the hype.
Monique Davisseniorwomen’s studies
