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Has Black History Month Outlived Its Usefulness?
NewsMax.com ^ | Feb. 21, 2002 | Barrett Kalellis

Posted on 02/23/2002 9:02:02 AM PST by prman

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To: Big Bunyip
This year I think they have dropped the claim of inventing the rotary engine, at least I haven't heard it.

Was Wankel a black German?

21 posted on 02/23/2002 12:39:55 PM PST by razorback-bert
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To: prman
I work for a large Federal Agency. The diversity mantra reigns supreme of course. Last year I attended an "African-American/Black History Month" presentation. The woman giving it (a Federal employee) was reading some Maya Angelou poem about "mean 'ole whitey" (it didn't use the phrase "mean 'ole whitey", but that's what it was about). The woman then launched into praising a number of black leaders who she saw as heroes for her race. They included Malcom X, Sharpton, and Farakhan. Oh yes, this was all during the working day at taxpayer expense. I was going to stick around a few more years, but I've had enough. I used to enjoy my work, but I'm retiring this year, my first year of retirement eligibility. I'll go to work for anyone who doesn't force me to attend Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harrasment training just because I work there.
22 posted on 02/23/2002 12:40:37 PM PST by arm958
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To: mafree
How 'bout you? I know you believe there is a neverending need for historically, traditionally, predominately black colleges and affirmative action. Do you think black history month has outlived its usefulness - - that's assuming it was useful in the first place?
23 posted on 02/23/2002 12:43:49 PM PST by leadpenny
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To: prman
can Hispanic, Lithuanian, Oriental, Italian, Greek and Fill-In-The-Blank History months be far behind?

It's already here. Federal Government Agencies have observances for Women's History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Asian/Pacific Islander Month, etc. They get more extensive every year. Nothing for men of European ancestry of course, since we are the evil oppressors who are the targets of the all this propaganda. For anyone who has not worked in the Federal Government or Military in the last decade or so, you would be shocked at the money-wasting Diversity Bureaucracy that has now become entrenched.

24 posted on 02/23/2002 12:53:38 PM PST by arm958
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To: prman
Black History Month? Try Black History Six Weeks. You have to figure MLK Day usually arrives around the 20th of January. They start commemorating him a week before the Holiday. Then they just keep the ball rolling up to February 1st when BHM kicks off for the entire month.

Anymore, I'm just happy when it is not a Leap Year.

25 posted on 02/23/2002 12:56:04 PM PST by Drew68
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To: cibco
I thought it was "Olympics Month".

This year it was. I'm sure Jesse/Louis/Al/Kweisi plan on bringing it to the attention of the IOC.

26 posted on 02/23/2002 1:01:51 PM PST by Drew68
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To: prman
Sunday AM bump.
27 posted on 02/24/2002 12:23:07 AM PST by leadpenny
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To: prman
I want my own "Italian History Month" I feel left out.
28 posted on 02/24/2002 12:25:11 AM PST by StayoutdaBushesWay
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To: leadpenny
How 'bout you? I know you believe there is a neverending need for historically, traditionally, predominately black colleges and affirmative action.

Where have I made a statement in favor of affirmative action?

29 posted on 02/24/2002 7:09:28 AM PST by mafree
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To: Ahban
Oh, I don't know, I like the Barbeques around the office.....during that week.
30 posted on 02/24/2002 7:18:37 AM PST by Knight Templar
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To: mafree
Where have I made a statement in favor of affirmative action?

I don't know if you have expressed your specific support for affirmative action on this forum, but the fact that you do support the continued existence of black colleges is proof enough for me. Historically (or whatever they are called) black colleges ARE a form of affirmative action. I know you will disagree with my take on it, but that's my opinion.

BTW. has the period referred to as black history month outlived its usefulness?

31 posted on 02/24/2002 10:02:07 AM PST by leadpenny
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To: leadpenny
I don't know if you have expressed your specific support for affirmative action on this forum, but the fact that you do support the continued existence of black colleges is proof enough for me. Historically (or whatever they are called) black colleges ARE a form of affirmative action.

It's illogical to assume that someone who supports historically black colleges would automatically support affirmative action. HBCUs are not affirmative action- they get little or no special money or programs just because they are black. HBCUs do not discriminate by race- white applicants to them (yes, there are some) get the same consideration as anyone else. Graduates of HBCUs get no special breaks in the job market compared to blacks who did not attend HBCUs.

As long as there are people who believe as you do, Black History Month will always have a usefulness. You need it much more than I do.

32 posted on 02/24/2002 10:17:38 AM PST by mafree
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To: prman
Yesterday, while channel surfing, I came across some conference on CSPAN with a stage full of black socialists in a theater. Watched as long as I could stand it--about 5 minutes. Cornell West began some incomprehensible rant about leadership in post 9/11 America. Anyway, I say February should be designated "black socialist month" where these clowns can spew--keep that remote handy. The rest of the year should be devoted to "free black American" profiles and leadership. We will hear, March through January, from the likes of Ward Connerly, Condolezza Rice, JC Watts, Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, and the incomparable Thomas Sowell.
33 posted on 02/24/2002 10:21:24 AM PST by Faraday
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To: prman
Never. It is of great use to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

--Boris

34 posted on 02/24/2002 10:46:52 AM PST by boris
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To: Faraday;all
Black History Month is divisive and counter-productive

Having stated my position, I have a two-part comment. The first is reinforcing what “Faraday” observed on CSPAN yesterday. The second part is aimed at just a few people who posted in this thread (not “ “Faraday”).

A. The CSPAN show consisted of several hours of 10-12 “Black Leaders” (Barbara Lee, Socialist Democrat from CA, Maya Angelou, poet, Al Sharpton and several others) talking about how other people have kept them down for years and now they were going to rise up and assert their pride. Fine, I have minimal problems with that. A large part of their rant was going back more than 140 years to discuss slavery and how it still effects them. All Al talked about was “the dogs and fire hoses of Selma” (early 1960’s). I watched more than “Faraday” did (probably an hour or two) and I have never been so insulted in my life. I guess one example of what was discussed would suffice:

One of the speakers (I don’t remember who it was) announced that the way for Blacks to thrive economically was to only do business with each other! At one point the woman said, “Right now we are supporting the business of a white person or Asian person by shopping at their store or place of business. We should be taking our business to Black-owned stores and spending there.” There was more, she went on describing the process but you get the idea. The whole Conference was like this! All the speakers (while I watched) did not talk about working with other races, but blamed all the other races for the problems in the Black Community.

B. Although I believe that Black History Month is divisive and counter-productive, a large minority of the postings on this thread are demeaning and bordering on racist (or at minimum were heavy-handed stereotyping of an entire race). This is supposed to be a conservative forum, not a place where just white conservatives can vent. Reflect on what a conservative Black person would think if they read through this thread. Do you think they would think they were welcome here? I’d be embarrassed to death if I had sent any Black people to this site and they stumbled across some of they stuff posted here…Flame me all you want…

35 posted on 02/24/2002 11:23:58 AM PST by rohry
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To: mafree
As long as there are people who believe as you do....

Then its going to be around for a long, long time, because there ain't no way that I am going to change my belief that bhm is racist, counter-productive, devisive and just plain foolish.

.... Black History Month will always have a usefulness.

Useful in keeping blacks as victims rather than encouraging them, and everyone, to think for themselves and to just be an American.

You need it much more than I do

For what? To be taken on a perpetual guilt trip by the likes of you and other race baitors?

As long as there will never be an end to it, what month would you suggest be designated White History Month? Hopefully they'll get one of the more important 31-day months.

36 posted on 02/24/2002 12:39:49 PM PST by leadpenny
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To: rohry
I’d be embarrassed to death if I had sent any Black people to this site and they stumbled across some of they stuff posted here…

There are so many thoughts that come to mind when I read that. I'll give you just a couple.

1) Why would you be embarrassed?
2) Would you be embarrassed for blacks only?
3) Please be specific as to the stuff posted here....

37 posted on 02/24/2002 12:52:11 PM PST by leadpenny
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To: leadpenny
First off, my post was not directed at you, your statements and questions were legitimate and based on economic principles and arguments.

Please be specific as to the stuff posted here....

Posts #9, 10, 12, 17, 19 and 21 were offensive, in my opinion.

38 posted on 02/24/2002 1:36:03 PM PST by rohry
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To: rohry
First off, my post was not directed at you.....

I realized that but have always had the notion that anything on the forum was fair game.
(Not meant as a smarta** comment.)

Posts #9, 10, 12, 17, 19 and 21 were offensive, in my opinion.

All attempts at sarcasm, irony and/or humor. Some better than other, IMO.

I also watched and listened to parts of the Smiley thing on Saturday. Let's assume I am white. Should I have been embarrassed when I called my brother and told him to turn it on? When I hear someone say something that I disagree with, their statements become a reflection of them, not me. I hope that your friends; black, green, white or otherwise, would be strong enough in their beliefs to withstand any "embarrassing" or "offensive" speech that may show up on this one-of-a-kind site.

39 posted on 02/25/2002 1:25:46 AM PST by leadpenny
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To: leadpenny
Useful in keeping blacks as victims rather than encouraging them, and everyone, to think for themselves and to just be an American.

If folks had always treated Blacks this way there would never have been a need for BHM. If you don't like BHM then don't have anything to do with it.

40 posted on 02/25/2002 12:16:30 PM PST by mafree
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