Black history has become a commodity traded by Republicans and corporations

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/10/republicans-jump-on-black-history-month ^

[MNDude]

Since 1976, when it was officially recognized, it has become a tool used by black activists to shame businesses, schools and politicians into showing blacks they "care".

And companies seem only too happy to oblige, even though I doubt if any of them really care about black history at all. As February rolls around, we see corporations from McDonald's to Northrup Grumman advertizing Black History Month. The ads usually begin with "we salute" or "we celebrate", but they simply don't want to be called racist for not acknowledging it.

It's hypocritical for businesses to honor Black History Month when the rest of the year they do little or nothing to mitigate the chronic double digit unemployment of blacks or address the woefully low numbers of blacks in board rooms and executive positions.

Sure, all major corporations have "diversity programs" but these include primarily cosmetic efforts (like honoring black history month). But I'm not necessarily calling for more affirmative action policies. I'm talking about making a commitment to hiring more qualified black people.

he Republican National Committee is also jumping on the black history month bandwagon. It hosted its second annual Black Republican Trailblazer Awards lunch on 4 February in Washington DC and launched its first ever ad targeting black Americans. Blacks are suddenly supposed to take the RNC seriously.

If you haven't heard, the Republican Party has been short on black votes for the past 50 years. But after Obama won a second term based on winning 93% of the black vote

[rovenstinez]

Which month is White History month, their might be a few who would like to know so they can celebrate....or is it just ´for blacks only´.

[sauropod]

I’m good with having a Black History Month.

As long as it is the complete history. How the Republicans are the party of abolition of slavery and the party of Freedom.

I doubt that is what this guy has in mind.

[TexasCajun]

Samuel L Jackson says "We Don't All Look Alike!"

SAMUEL L JACKSON GOES OFF ON TV ANCHOR WHO CALLED HIM 'LAURENCE FISHBURNE

Pretty Funny.

[YankeeReb]

But after Obama won a second term based on winning 93% of the black vote

...but there's nothing racist about that.

[cripplecreek]

I think conservatives should seize part ownership of black history month. Letting the democrats control it is letting them rewrite history.

A black conservative told me that she believes Calvin Coolidge was one of the greatest civil rights fighters in American history.

[Doogle]

[YankeeReb]

The Rooney Rule requires NFL teams to include qualified minority candidates when interviewing for head-coaching or general manager positions.

How 'bout we use the same rule that the NBA uses to recruit for those astronomically high paying player jobs? I never hear anyone screaming racism in that situation.

[Doogle]

[cripplecreek]

Calvin Coolidge response to an angry letter he received declaring America to be a "white man's country"

....I was amazed to receive such a letter. During the war 500,000 colored men and boys were called up under the draft, not one of whom sought to evade it. As president, I am one who feels a responsibility for living up to the traditions and maintaining the principles of the Republican Party. Our Constitution guarantees equal rights to all our citizens, without discrimination on account of race or color. I have taken my oath to support that Constitution.

[amnestynone]

I remember being in a book store and a clerk called my attention to the “Black History” month display of books they had. He told me it was all politics and no one ever bought those books.

[George from New England]

black history month — so we don’t have to talk about former Presidents and their contribution to America.

[Corey Ohlis]

Blacks get shortchanged again! Black History month is February — the shortest month of the year.

[KarlInOhio]

Sure, all major corporations have "diversity programs" but these include primarily cosmetic efforts (like honoring black history month). But I'm not necessarily calling for more affirmative action policies. I'm talking about making a commitment to hiring more qualified black people.

Is there an equal call for a commitment by the public schools to train black children to be qualified for jobs in 20 years? How about even a recognition of how bad of job they are doing?

[Albion Wilde]

Don’t celebrate it: not happy.
Celebrate it: not happy.
Never happy.

[dfwgator]

They need to emphasize more like George Washington Carver and Booker T Washington than Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.

[cripplecreek]

Carver and his contemporaries didn't seek separatism. They sought inclusion as American men.

[Vaduz]

But after Obama won a second term based on winning 93% of the black vote.
They got what they voted for so much for using logic.

[Gabrial]

I don't celebrate Black History Month because it segments our society by the color of someone’s skin which is inherently racist.

Just like Black Entertainment Television, or Black only restrooms. It is all racist when you make decisions on skin color.

[driftless2]

Geez, I don’t know how people get this stupid. Doesn’t this weasel know that many big corps. scour the country looking for qualified minorities? I have a lib sister who works in a very high position at a major corp., and even she whines about how difficult it is to find qualified “minorities” for managerial positions. Do these dopes really believe a major corp. is going to turn down someone who could be a good worker who would make them money? I guess they do.