How about calling it Black-American History?

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   Johnjfernandoposted 12 years ago

   I didn't find the humour in this, but there were ripples of it when I suggested this. Seriously, why should this be limited to one month, it should be in history along with everything else, no?

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      American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Why not just call it History, or American history. Why limit anything

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         wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         If you do, you won't much please those that demand a racist holiday (what else do you call it when it promotes only one race?) to tout the wonders of their own race.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            You really should learn the history of it before you condemn it. This month was formed because black history did not get covered in the history books. Every month was white history month...

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               American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               UW,
               
               Maybe where you come from, but not where I went to school. Complete history was taught from ancient times to modern times, world and US history. I know many people who did not know about the Tuskegee Airmen until the HBO movie came out, I learned about them in Middle School. And not just the airmen, there is more to the Tuskegee story such as medical experiments. So if history is taught properly, everything will be covered.

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               wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               If true (and it wasn't in my school, either) the answer is to make sure that textbooks are used that include people of all races - to eliminate racism in your schools and texts..
               
               Not to declare that we will only study black people (or any other race, including white) this month - not to promote and foster racism in our schools and texts.

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               Xenonlitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Uninvited Writer is right. There were lies, cover ups and a downright evil refusal to tell us the truth. Every other culture had pride in their histories while we were lied to.
               
               When I started to research California Black history, there was so much that I'm still learning things. We will never go back to the bad old days and we will have our month.
               
               Make use of the month to learn something and quit renewing the attacks every year. We also have Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New year and a host of other ethnic and cultural events. I don't hear any griping about those, which tells me a lot.

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   Longhunterposted 12 years ago

   Why not have Irish-American History Month or Scottish-American History Month? Maybe Japanese-American History Month? Why? Because we don't need them any more than we need Black History Month.
   
   Now days, if our kids are taught AMERICAN history correctly and completely it's a huge miracle.
   
   Back when I was in school, we learned about famous Americans that just happened to be black, white, Indian (that's what we called them back then), or any other color or ethnic heritage.
   
   I agree with American View - why limit our history? I'll add why label it anything other than AMERICAN?

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      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Does it take anything away from you? Are you also against Women's History Month? You may think you got all the history there was but many histories were ignored, and that includes women and aboriginals. We also have a National Aboriginal History Month too. Hey, I'd be all for a different history month every month. I love history of all kinds and the more the better.
      
      And it's also Black History Month here in Canada.

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         Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The fact that "Black History month" or "women's history month" exist shows that racism is still alive and well in our society.
         
         By acknowledging that people can be grouped up in such a way, you further encourage the thinking that they SHOULD be grouped up this way.
         
         Our government encourages the grouping of individuals so that they can then control their votes.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Well, I don't see it that way. Like I said, the more history the better.

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               Longhunterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Perhaps more of the racism that comes with putting people into ethnic and gender groups is better for you as well.
               
               I think I'll stick to the American and world history I was taught in school and the teaching of equality I learned from my parents over the likes and dislikes of a Canadian who doesn't see it that way. Thanks anyway, UW.

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                  Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Have it your way. It is not racism no matter how you try to frame it.
                  
                  Special months that you can pay attention to or not are not a big deal to me.

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                     Longhunterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     You wrote: "Does it take anything away from you? Are you also against Women's History Month? You may think you got all the history there was but many histories were ignored, and that includes women and aboriginals. We also have a National Aboriginal History Month too. Hey, I'd be all for a different history month every month. I love history of all kinds and the more the better."
                     
                     I'll answer them one by one.
                     
                     "Does it take anything away from you?"
                     
                     No, of course not. However, in a time when we should be long past the differences of color and religion, we're still separating each group out. At the rate we're going, racism will never end and will only get worse.
                     
                     "Are you also against Women's History Month?"
                     
                     See answer above. I will say I started to sign up for Women's Studies in college until I realized it wasn't what I thought it was.
                     
                     "You may think you got all the history there was but many histories were ignored, and that includes women and aboriginals. We also have a National Aboriginal History Month too."
                     
                     Like I wrote earlier, I got American and world history in Jr. High and High School. This included all history with no exclusion due to race or religion. As for "National Aboriginal History Month", we studied the American Indians as well.
                     
                     "Hey, I'd be all for a different history month every month. I love history of all kinds and the more the better."
                     
                     I'm a history buff as well, UW. My avatar is a scan of an 18 x 24 portrait I did of my son in his Longhunter outfit. I have one as well. We camp and hunt as they did in the 18th century using only the things they would have had back then.
                     
                     That being said, I don't pigeon hole myself into just that time period. I like all history, some more than others, but I like them all.
                     
                     To me, having one month for this specific ethnic group or that religious group only presents racism as more acceptable. Lets mix it all together, teaching it all, in a time line of when it happened, not in specific groups where it appears they never met or worked together.

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               Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Teaching "Black history" isn't "more history", it's just "specialized history".
               
               Opportunity costs exist: if you want history, then study it. If you want a specific section of history, then study that.
               
               Calling a specific study of history "black history" shows that people, and history, can be grouped into skin color.

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         American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Well if that's what Canada wants to do, divide the people like cattle instead of teaching them as equals, then that is their choice. Does not mean we have to agree with it. By the way, just off the top of my head I can remember being taught about many woman and their impacts. Seems to me that Canada does not teach a complete history in school.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            It is a known fact that history books in the past did leave out a lot of those histories. I guess it might be a difference in our ages. That has changed in Canada and elsewhere as the history books have.

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               American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               UW,
               
               I think it was where people get taught. Based on your picture, I am much older than you so I guess I am part of that "past" you talk about.

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                  Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Oh well, maybe it was an old British thing. I did attend elementary school in the UK.
                  
                  How old do you think I am?

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                     American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I have learned long ago not to take a guess at a young ladies age. I will say this, I am 51 and you look way younger than that.

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                        Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Lol, i'm actually 55. That picture is about  8 years old... I use it because its one of the best photos of me.

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      Xenonlitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Because America has too much racism. Trying to pretend it's not so is not doing anything. Black History month is a correction of past wrongs that will be celebrated on its own and in its own right. No amount of hostility or complaining will undo the correction.

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   logic,commonsenseposted 12 years ago

   Every time we distinguish anyone based on their race, we are maintaining the undercurrent of racism.
   If we recognize people and events based on their impact on a country or on the world, we accomplish a greater task. 
   I do not distinguish black, white, yellow or red Americans by race.  To me there are no Black Americans, you are American or not.  Do Australians refer to the white Australians as British Australians?  Doesn't make sense. 
   Perhaps history books have been deficient in the past, but as time goes on they are being corrected.
   I agree UW, history is very interesting, but to seperate in on a racial, gender, or religious basis serves no one.  Lets do it chronologically and have a more intense examination of the details instead of glossing over the ugly parts that books or "months" tend to do.  Sometimes we can learn from the warts of history.

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   livewithrichardposted 12 years ago

   Personally, I don't care if February is Black history month, any more than I care that it is also American Heart Month, International Boost Self-Esteem Month, International Embroidery Month, Library Lovers Month, National Cherry Month, National Children’s Dental Health Month, National Snack Food Month, and Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month. ( according to Wikipedia)
   
   For the record though, I have a BA in History and I can honestly say that having a separate month devoted to black history has outlived its usefulness.  I say this because, at least here in the US, black history is completely intertwined with American history.
   
   I believe that now, its only importance (and rightly so) is the amount of revenue that is earned by distinguishing this month as such.  I don't have the answers but can you imagine just how much is being spent on advertising alone?  The commercialization of this month and the revenue exchanged is all that you need, to know there will never be an end to its designation. If you look at it from that perspective, you will see that it has nothing to do with 'grouping' a certain race or promoting racism.  It's about the money!!!

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      Jed Fisherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The achevements of the colonist Anthony Johsnon, who died in 1670, have certainly been overlooked. He had a tremendous impact on American history, an impact that is still reverberating, the very existance of this discussion a result of his ground-breaking achievements. His story needs to become common knowlege among all Americans. Re-dedicate February as Anthony Johnson month!

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         Druid Dudeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Black American History isn't a friendly term, tho some may think it is. It's divisive. Black, red, yellow or white, it's all american history and should be taught as such. Divisive terms act as a wall between understanding and ignorance, when what we need is to come together in mutual understanding of our past. This is the only way to come to grips with it, and the only way to prevent some things from recurring at some time in the future. Just my two cents.

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         American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Jed,
         
         Again, as I said earlier it depends on where you went to school it seems to me. The northern schools, the original 13 colonies teach it completely. I would think John Casor would have more of an impact as he was the first recognized slave in the US as he took his "master" to court to win his freedom. He lost, his owner, Anthony Johnson. I understand the importance of the court ruling after his death, but the Casor ruling was more important as it laid a legal foundation for people to keep slaves.

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   IzzyMposted 12 years ago

   All history has been changed forever by the world wide web.
   
   You know why?
   
   Because we the people don't take no s*** from anyone..sorry if those word are offensive, but I am proud to be part of it.
   
   History has been taught down through the generations, not from a factual point of view, but from a political one.
   
   Did you Americans here really think you won the war in Europe? Am I not right in thinking you only got involved when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour? (correct me if I am wrong, did you live through it, if you did I am more inclined to believe)
   
   That is all by the by, you know what you were taught. I myself was taught that the British Empire brought Christianity and modernity to many nations.
   
   Yeah right!
   
   As an aged adult I now know that historians lie. Politicians lie. The 'British Empire' was a few well-to-do's with enough money to pay for virtual slaves.
   
   Not much different from nowadays except we can all see now who is lying and who is not lying, up to a point.
   
   There is another thread going about 'shills' which is the new word for describing those that are too stupid/poor/lacking in social conscience to resist.
   
   Lacking in social conscience is another word to describe psychopaths I think.
   Plenty of those about!
   
   Even if you don't agree with me, I  would appreciate if you formed a sensible/informed argument, thank you

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   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   There are still American's who think they won the War of 1812 or that the British started it:)

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      IzzyMposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sure there are, just as there are many people from all over the world here who believe the history they were taught, rather than the truth. That is not to condemn them, they were taught that, so they believe it, especially when it came from a much-loved school teacher.
      I am left wondering what they taught school teachers in those days!
      
      But hey going by the thread title, this is black-American history and it needs to be aired so that future children know the truth.
      
      Let's have it `

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         HattieMattieMaeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It's amazing the messes we like to create! History is history, and doesn't matter who it is about! We have holidays for war veterans, valentine's for lovers, We have queen's day, Astrailia Day, Maybe it's just to honor certain people, or what they've done, or experienced. We have statues, plaques, books, memorials every where and anywhere you go. lol Why do we need to make something good into something ugly! Just for the sake of Debate I guess. Or perspective! lol

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         Johnjfernandoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         @ IzzyM Cheers;)

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