Black history month is about separating Americans. Black history as it occurs in this country is simply American history - the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I believe Black History month was devised because at one point in this country, black people were only included as a foot note (basically talking about slavery) and someone thought it would be a great idea if black contributions were noted. I think it is a great idea to incorporate black history into American history. I don’t believe that it was intended to be divisive.
One needn't “incorporate” it at all, because back history in the United States IS American history. From Crispus Attucks, to Frederick Douglas, to George Washington Carver, to Henry Flipper, to Booker T. Washington, to MLK and all the way to Obama, good or bad, it's All American.
There’s much to be admired about Woodson, but his view that the history of Blacks in America is separate from American History is wrong.
He is right that during his lifetime the contributions and achievements of Blacks were either ignored or surpressed, but doesn’t there come a time to reconcile? When do we stop celebrating Black history month and incorporate Blacks into American history?
If it remains racial its purpose is to divide. Aren’t we both Americans? What difference does our skin color make to our love of country and opportunity to succeed? Hasn’t Dr. King’s dream become a reality? Shouldn’t we now move forward and just judge each other by the content of our character?
Black history month as an institution just becomes another wall between people, not a bridge uniting them. E pluribus unum means something to America. Socialists don’t like it. A divided population is easier to manipulate and manage.