What is Black History Month?

Surprisingly, the conditionination to that implementmingly simple question would have a multitude of opposite answers, varying in degrees from practiced support to total outrage, depending on who was asked. The extreme point fluctuation in emotional reaction to what protrudes on the outside to be a month long celebration of heritage lies in the diverse opinions of whatsoever very complex issues. Arguments over the benefits versus harm, and the definition of nasty register itself are at the core of this heated debate.The month long point on the taradiddle of forbidding Ameri screwings, known as gloomy record Month, was brought to life by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson, iodine of the first opaque the Statesns to receive a Ph. D. from Harvard university (Gearing Up For smutty muniment Month, 2007), was disturbed in the lack of familiarity and availability of gloomy archives in America of any kind. Woodson matt-up upstandingly about this lack of level for an e ntire heathenish chemical group and felt the need to create a forum that would, loftylight the contri entirelyions of black Americans to our nation and the creation.His goal was to bring to light the hidden history and elaboration of the American batch, and through this special service, help all told Americans to appreciate their ethnic roots and develop a mutual respect among the races. (Gearing Up for stark History Month, 2008) He chose the second week in February because of its association with cardinal great men who had a great impact on the mess of African Americans Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist, Frederick Douglas. Today it is even more fitting that this recollection beobserved in February, as it holds many great handments for minatory Americans including the birth of a great civil rights leader W. E. B. DuBois, the month that the 15th amendment was passed allowing blacks to vote, the acceptance of the first black senator, and the death of militant leader Ma lcolm X, naming vindicatory a few. (Infoplease, 2009) From the beginning, Woodsons motivation in launching lightlessness History Week was an, initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. ( coloured History Month, 2000)Prior to that period sick history had been relatively unexplored except for the re benefactionation of blacks as slaves or in low and insignificant social positions. (Wikipedia, 2009). However, even from its start as Negro History Week, this period of remembrance has been a origin of contention. Annually, this heated debate over the, continued usefulness and fairness of a designated month dedicated to the history of one race (Wikipedia, 2009) has broken itself gloomy into three major arguments. The first and most hotly debated topic is principally that of purpose.What is the authorized underlying purpose of this celebration? One side proposes the benefits of self-identity turn the other argues degr adation of society. Those who argue on the side of identity spirit strongly that the affects of historical amnesia is the root of the problem. Their position that the long term affects of slavery on the mentality of the people had a more devastate effect than generally understood. (Pitre, 2002) Black History serves the purpose of helping African Americans understand themselves by looking at the uniqueness and origin of their history in relation to the development of world history.Black history would encourage Black Americans to embrace their personal identity as opposed to self-negating ones self (Karenga, 1982). (Pitre, 2002) Connecting with their large past testament give Black Americans the ability to see themselves as part of a repeating cycle of world history that is everchanging and full of opportunity for freedom and productivity. (Pitre, 2002) It is this great power for healing found in our histories that is so indispensable. For history is the substance and mirror of a peoples humanity in others eyes as well as in their own eyes.It is then, non solitary(prenominal) what they have done, but likewise a reflection of who they are, what they can do, and equally important what they can become as a issue of the past which find outs their possibilities (Karenga, 1982, 69). (Pitre, 2002) With the desire to let Black Americans have the opportunity to see themselves in a better, broader light and thus inspire all Americans to achieve to become better, proponents of Black History Month encourage schools and educators to enlighten the minds of Americas youth by learning about American history through another ethnic perspective.The aim of a multicultural plan line is not just an appreciation for cultural diversity (Pitre, 2002) but also a more compassionate perspective that will lead to a more equitable America. It is important to note, however, that in a quest for veridical multiculturism, learning about Black history is not merely a recitation of a handful of accomplished Black Americans. It is much more than a compilation of inspiring stories, and more of a frank and skilful look at the often horrifying realities of the past. It is by looking at history in an unbiased way that truths can be taught, and real lessons learned.For example, one Southern high school committed to multicultural program fought back against the tendency to use a watered down manner of inviting speakers with limited knowledge of Black American history or who take history within the acceptable set framework of the dominant culture. Instead, the high school students chose a non- traditionalistic, Islamic speaker to share historic facts and how they colligate to the struggles of Black Americans like a shot. The result was outstanding. The reaction of the students was an emotional self-realization that resulted in a life-changing experience. (Pitre, 2002)However, this opportunity to candidly look at the past and see the effects it has had on the prese nt appears to be the root of the problem for those that oppose the observance of Black History Month. Among some of the most ardent fears is the supposition that principle students the realities of history will color both Europe and the U. S. as speculative actors on the world stage. They accuse Black American scholars of having the intention of write history. Disturbingly, at the same time they proffer the weak argument that pickings time out for multicultural education takes time away from underlying work skills education.(Pitre, 2002) Furthermore, they strongly suggest that reading Blacks about the historical injustices perpetrated against them (Pitre, 2002) will inspire vengeance against Whites. Any program or curriculum that induces people of African descent to group themselves in opposition to White policies essential be squashed in the name of our mutual safety as White people (Kincheloe & Steinberg, 1997, 7). (Pitre, 2002). In addition to these arguments are the attack s that the honoring of Black History Month is nothing more than an opportunity for a selling device.Unfortunately, this is perfectly illustrated in a flyer encouraging the observance of Black History Month A community is only as strong as the traditions that hold it together. Procter & Gamble products such as Tide, Bounce and soft have been a part of the traditions celebrated by African-American families for generations. (Black History Month Reminds Us of Our Common Experiences and Hopes, 2005) Furthermore, this heated debate over the expert versus detrimental perspectives on Black History Month is often subsequently followed by the controversial question of, What is Black History? In one historians point of view, Black History should be understood as Black History that focuses on Black people, their identity, their culture, their social life, their psychology, and the way they have employ these ethnic, group, and personal attributes to make history in America and to contribute to histories, countries, and peoples elsewhere on the globe. (Wright, 2002) This very important ideal holds that as Blacks uncover and reveal the truth of their history awareness of White people in American history will also be enlightened.By motivating Black historians to present the truth in a scholarly manner and thus support the moral guidelines for Black political behavior in America, the racism that blemish the country and the attitudes and beliefs of its people can begin to heal. (Wright, 2002) This ever-present problem of quest identity through the looking glass of the past is not just an American issue. In the United Kingdom, with large communities of many different ethnic groups the struggle to celebrate Black History Month sheds light on this question of identity in a much clearer way.In an effort to teach Black History and keep school programs alive, they have confronted the issue that their traditional teaching of Black History month focusing on Caribbean Black Hist ory is failing to connect with the new migrant communities such as the Somalis. The compelling questions are about making sense of a world whose problems seem dominated by historic questions of identity. (Hunt, 2006) This search for identity runs deep. As Black Americans struggle to find an acceptable way to identify themselves today and build a stronger foundation for the future, the debate will go on.However, on that point are still some basic issues with name identity that appear to add to the confusion. For instance, just the identification as Blacks, Black Americans, African Americans, Afro Americans or the orthographical capitalization of the letter B as in black Americans, has caused a strain on the black American community. The suggestion by some black historians that all black Americans are African American became a popular reference even though most Blacks disagreed and saw themselves only as Black Americans, and not identifying themselves in relation to Africa at all.(Wr ight, 2002) on the face of it identity is an important part of viewing not only the past, but more importantly, the future. Perhaps this is the reason there is so much division and conjecture. Moreover, it is also obvious that until agreements and decisions can be made, the unity that is necessary to achieve the identity so desperately sought after will stick elusive. Regardless of the debate that forges on, and will one day find a resolution it seems clear that whether it is black history or white history, it is all American history. ReferencesBlack History Month Reminds Us of Our Common Experiences and Hopes. (2005, February). Ebony, 60, 46+. Retrieved bound 4, 2009, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5008550464 Black History Month the History of Black History. Infoplease. 20002007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 04 Mar. 2009 . Black History Month. (2009, March 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1805, March 4, 2009, from http//en. wikipedia. org/w/index. php? title=Black_History_Month&oldid=274609871Gearing Up for Black History Month in February 2008. (2007, December). Curriculum Review, 47, 14+. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5024613228 Hunt, T. (2006, October). Whose History Is It Anyway? as Part of the current Debate over Black History Month, Tristram Hunt Asks for Greater communication between Politicians and Academics concerning the Place of History in Modern Britain. History Today, 56, 28+. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5017655596 Pitre, A. , & Ray, R. (2002).The Controversy around Black History. The Western Journal of Black Studies, 26(3), 149+. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5000644111 Wright, W. D. (2002). Black History and Black Identity A Call for a New Historiography /. Westport, CT Praeger. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=101983241 Wright, W. D. (2002). lively Reflections on Black History /. Westport, CT Praeger. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=101985175