Posted on 02/19/2007 9:22:51 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
A poll of almost 10,000 Americans conducted in January shows there is no consensus on the topic of Black History Month. The survey, conducted by MSN and Zogby International, found that 43 percent of Americans believe setting one month of the year to focus on a racially defined observance is a token gesture, while 39 percent say that is an opportunity to raise awareness of African-American history and accomplishments (18 percent are not sure).
Is it, as one scholar wrote in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, "simply a guilt-driven public relations scam to pacify blacks who otherwise receive no attention on the bread and butter issues of education, jobs, and health care?"
African-Americans have varying opinions on the issue, too. The poll found that 28 percent feel that dedicating only February to black history is a token gesture. Celebrities Morgan Freeman and Bill Cosby have spoken out against it. "I don't want a black history month," Freeman said on 60 Minutes. "Black history is American history."
More and more, African-American scholars are beginning to resent the fact that in February "their opinions are sought out, and then they are ignored the rest of the year.
Some black scholars refuse to lecture in February because of that," Slater says.
(Excerpt) Read more at men.msn.com ...
It's a great reminder to stock up on bazooka ammunition for the loud rap music in heavy traffic...
Correct. Here is the last paragraph of the article to back you up.
The bigger problem, according to many, is the American public's lack of knowledge of history overall. "Stop asking whether there's too much black history and start grappling with the fact that there's too little American history," Scott says.
Hey, I didn't make the peanut butter comment!
What a stupid poll!! The choices of answers are idiotic - they don't even have "I'm against it".... and we know why.
These are all liberal lets-make-ourselves-feel-good by telling everyone how much we like peoples who don't look like us (white liberal males) programs. Identify and separate out people by race, religion, how and/or what one has sex with, etc. It's racist, etc.
Already is. At NASA I believe Asian History Month is September. Celebrate Homosexuality Month is all of July.
"It's February, and the annual debate has begun. The subject of Black History Month becomes the centerpiece of many a water-cooler conversation."
No, not really. The companies where I worked were always populated by all races and religions, etc., and I never heard anyone, Black, White, or otherwise, ever mention it at all.
Kind of like Kwanzaa.
Real people, working real jobs and leading productive lives, raising children, making contributions, and paying taxes, have no time for that nonsense. They are BUSY. As a Black neighbor of mine used to say, "There is ONE color that matters in this country: GREEN".
The people who do have time to be so concerned are just desperately trying to create issues with which to fill their dying newspapers and time slots- That, or they are growing moss at their desks in Cambridge and other such places.
Re#16 The best post yet!!! One day may be TOOOOOO much.
But there's a lot of material out there that's fascinating. Recently I have read two good books about slavery, the Dutch historian Simon Schama's Rough Crossings and Fergus Bordewich's Bound for Canaan. Reading about the role of blacks in American history can be quite interesting.
I think there should be something to remember what the folks who suffered went through as it was a painful time in our country- but a whole month? Have a day to remember it, teach why it was wrong in scools, perhaps have a day of teaching tolorance for EVERYONE to our kids- .
The following link is a signature link and does not relate to this thread http://sacredscoop.com
It has been my experience that the black children in our public schools are tired of being reminded that they came from slaves. I once proposed a Black Future Month at my school - have black professionals come in and talk to the students about how they reached their goals. Nobody was interested.
How cute.
Perhaps you shouldn't be stoned in class.
I heard of Carver and Morgan both in and out of classes. I have probably forgotten most of the notable black inventors but, I've also forgotten most white inventors, too.
We already have that. Martin Luther King Day. A National Holiday when most schools are closed.
Go figure...
I'm 57 and still addicted to PBJ's and Peanut Butter and Frito sandwiches.
This month I'll have them on black bread.
1/2 sarc...
But they never get tired of being reminded that they are grossly over-represented in welfare, illegitimacy, carjackers, muggers, pimps, robbers, murderers, rappers and loud obnoxious car stereos?
What's up with that?
Hear the Words of General Leonard Wood, 1919
the text is below:
Americanization must be taken up earnestly and systematically. America first must be stamped upon every heart. There should be but one language in the public grade schools --the language of the Declaration of Independence, of Abraham Lincoln, of Theodore Roosevelt. A common language is one of the strongest influences for building up a spirit of national solidarity.
We must emphasize that hand in hand, with equality of privilege and opportunity, goes equality of obligation in war and in peace, in fair weather and in storm.
There is no room in this country for any flag except our own. There is no room for the Red flag. It is opposed to everything our government stands for. It stands for anarchy, chaos, and ruin. Smash it!
True liberty is found within the law. Law and order are the foundation on which rests business, confidence, and prosperity, without which there cannot be prosperous labor conditions, and without these we cannot have increased efficiency, and that increased production which is a great remedy for the high cost of living.
The war is over. We are confronted with the problems of peace, and organization for the extension of our trade. We must spread the war burden over a longer period of years. We must relieve business of any taxation, which strangles enterprise. We must look to the establishment of a merchant marine, the maintenance of a small but highly efficient army and a first-class, every-ready navy, and the development of a sound policy of national defense -- a policy which places the obligation of service in war squarely upon all classes of our citizens.
This country must never be allowed to fall into such a condition of helplessness that it cannot immediately become a force for right. We want peace. We believe in arbitration. We shall have more of peace, and more successful arbitration, if we are not only just and righteous, but also strong. We must be prepared to meet the organized strength of wrong with a [desperate] strength of right.
We must cultivate the spirit of service and sacrifice. The motto of every American should be: I serve. In considering the questions of labor and property, we should remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: "Let not him who hath no house pull down the house of his neighbor, but rather let him industriously strive to build one for himself, thus by example, showing confidence that his own, when built, shall stand.
"Let us do all we can to help labor. Give it a square deal -- an honest and generous wage for an honest day's work. Labor is neither a commodity or a chapel; it's human. Let us inject more of the human element into our dealings with labor and with those of others. Remember, you cannot legislate this into the souls of men. Without it, there never can be harmony, cooperation, and the progress we want.
Let us build up an intense American spirit -- not selfish, but helpful to a world in trouble, backed for the right kind of an American conscience. Avoid loose-fibered internationalism as you avoid death, for it means national death. America has a great mission in the world, one, which she can only perform by being a strong, united, upstanding people.
Our public schools once had history and geography courses. These two subjects were dropped and replaced with social studies. In social studies our children are taught about different cultures - very little United States history or world geography. As a result, our children know not where they are in time or place.
Who would dare end it?
The other eleven months are for white history.
I'll raise you one.
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