Feb., Black History Month, The Whole Month - Why? Martin Luther King Has a Day!
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
United States
February 1, 2007 2:13pm CST
Recently there was a discussion that broke my spirit and my heart. If it could affect an old white woman in this manner, can you imagine how it must have felt to all of the young black people here on MyLot? I cannot.
In one of my discussions I used the phrase "people of color", and a white person responded with an oft heard phrase, "If they are people of color, does that make me invisible?" To that I replied, "What color does Band-Aid mean when it says Flesh-Colored on the package"? All of these little things bog us down and keep us down. They get in the way.
Yes, by God and Goddess, there should be a Black History month, and an Chinese History month, and Japanese History month, and a Mexican History month, and on and on. American was and is known as the Melting Pot of the world - the spot where people came to from all destinations. None of us are PURE AMERICANS. We all have come from some other heritage.
During this, the shortest month of all, that has been dedicated to Black History, I am imploring my African American Sisters and Brothers;
-Please add to this discussion
-Please tell some of your personal history
-Please tell some of your ancient history
-Please tell some Black History
-Please contribute to this discussion to prove that Black History Month is a month to Celebrate with Glory and Pride.
I ask this not for the pennies that it will give to my account; but for my 12-year old granddaughter. She is black but has had no daddy in her life since she was born. Her white family has had to be the source of all her African American History. I implore you to help me. Give me some new stories and some new truths to assist her when she is called the "n" word (as she has been many times), without feeling the need for violence (as it has caused her to get into physical battles). I wish for nothing more than her to stand tall and proud, knowing that her heritage is one of elegance, knowledge, ethics, and strong family roots and morals. Thank you so much.~Donna
8 people like this
23 responses
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Donna--
I'm about as white girl as they get...English/Welsh and Polish, but I think you have a great idea here for your granddaugter. You said her daddy isn't in the picture, but is his fmaily....Can you trace his roots for her with a geneology program of some sort? If not, perhaps she can find some information on the Tuskeegee Airmen, the first black pilots to help the US military, or go back further to the days of slavery and see what proud men and women did even when they were treated horribly...people like Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglass. There were slaves who risked their lives to learn to read and pass it on to their children...that is a heritage to be proud of...how many other people can say education was important enough to risk their lives for it?
I know that strong woman that you are, you are also aware that February is women's history month as well, so help her find strong black women to relate to...the Oprahs and Alice Walkers of the world who are making a difference and msking the world a better place.
Cindy
5 people like this
@mansha (6298)
• India
2 Feb 07
Donna, I am from India and we have so many cultures and races living togther in one land, we just accept this as normal and when our kids ask us we tell them everything as honestly as possible. FOr me its hard to comprehend raising a balck child as the color does not matter here. The caste does and To my kid I try and explain it as rationally as possible. He was asked in school who all are muslims, he came back to me telling me that his class has many pakistani kids, I understood from some other kids he nmust have heard this and I felt the way it was handled by teacher bad pointing out muslim kids to other kids. I didn't go out and complained as it would have been of no use, I told him about why a person is called a hindu other muslim and someone else a sikh. I have personally read all religious scriptures and am trying not to instill any kind of belief in my kid, I wantr him to find his own calling, his own God, whoever it may be. I think if you do not feel anything is different about her in your heart she also will never feel the same. I am not much aware of how much this problem is there in your place so may be my advice is not worth anything.
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Mansha, Thank you so much for your history lesson. You have taught me much and it is appreciated. I was only a little aware of your caste system and am always open to learning more. Is it not sad that no matter where we are, there is prejudice of some kind. May peace be with you and your family~Donna
1 person likes this
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
2 Feb 07
There doesn't seem to be enough months in the year to celebrate everybodies ethniticity.Some race or nationality will always feel left out.National American Indian Heritage Month wasn't established until 1990, which is really sad.That should have been done a lot sooner. I think a better purpose would be served, by teaching history of all cultures in school and also creating awareness throughout the year for every culture,instead of just picking a month.
3 people like this
@spiritfinger (137)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I disagree with having black history month since there are so many races and nationalities that are left out. What makes black people so special that they "get a month"? Why don't white people deserve a month? Is our history not as important as theirs? I'm so tired of the "special" treatment that they think they deserve. WE ALL DESERVE IT!
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Tide, That is more or less what I was getting at. I was angered at the fact that someone had dared to say that Black History Month was a "bad" thing because "they" already had "Martin Luther King Day" and what more did they want. Multi-cultural teaching should be a part of everyday learning; and it always astonishes me that most other contries automatically teach "English" to thier students, while we offer foreign languages only as elective subjects. ~Donna
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
27 Feb 07
Spiritfinger - as a white woman I must tell you that we not only have months - we have years and years and years. most of the history our children learn in school is about white people and what the white people have created to "help" people of other colors. you are right in the fact that there should not have to be a black history month - black history should be celebrated in equality with white history. black people have worked just as hard and side by side with white people, asian people, jewish people, mexican people, spanish people, middle eastern people, native american people and all of the other peoples that have lived in this country. We are a diversified culture; yet we limit our teachings to that of the white populace. where in anyone's mind does that even begin to make sense? ~Donna
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
1 Feb 07
yes I agree with what you are saying some people are so pathetic and cannot help themselves with their minds so low, and you are right non are PURE AMERICANS. All Black people should be very proud of their history, Come on all the black people of this world I know there are a lot in mylot so give to this little African American girl the love of her people and their is no way on this earth that she should be down trodden like this, this little girl is not a N but a pure gift that was given by God I thought I was a white woman but recently found out my own heritage goes back to coming from a black race and I adore my black people and always have but never knew why until recently, and now I know why!!
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thank you Kathy for your response and thank you for the support and enthusiasm you are showing for my granddaughter ~Donna
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Myrith, In my eyes Black History Month is a yearly event, as are all the other cultures. Thank you for your response~Donna
1 person likes this
@jackie_mmm (886)
• Philippines
2 Feb 07
I read a lot of books about your history. It pains me to imagine what your earlier generations had gone through the cruel hands of the white. The black then were considered inferior and needing a firm hand to guide and teach them. It's not true. Many of your elders were strong fine men who read the firmament and ground like a book, listened to nature like music and danced around the bonfire in thankful glee. Malcolm X was one of the greatest black American who upheld civil rights in face of the enemies. He read, wrote, listened, understood and knew he's going die. Luther led the civil disobedience, herding the black to the streets and white establishments. The courage, intelligence and culture of the black superceded the time. They're one of the finest racest in the world, strong,brave,enduring and intelligent. We Filipinos are also a product of long history of abuse and maltreatment but we survived and so did you.
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Jackie, Thank you for your response. I am so sorry to say that I don't know much about the Filipino race and wish that I knew more. It pleases me to know that you know as much as you do about black history. Again, thank you for responding ~Donna
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I'm a white woman so I do not have advice on alot of what you ask - but I am married to a man of another race and my son is mixed. He has been called a few choice words over the course of his life but I have always taught him to rise above that - be better than those who belittle him - be better than those who try to hold you down or judge you for the color of your skin, something that no one has a choice or say in to begin with.
I remind him that these people are ignorant and do not matter in the big picture of his life. The only people who matter are the ones who matter to you - your family, your friends that love you for who you are and not the color of your skin.
Those who try to put him down because he is different than them only do so because of their own insecurities and short-comings. It's so much easier to point out another person's differences and shift the attention off yourself. It's the only way those people can try to feel worthy, by putting others down. But at the end of the day, they still have to go home and look at themselves in the mirror.
Anyhow, just keep reminding her of how special she is. How important she is. Make her feel loved every chance you get and tell her to be better than all that nonsense. Prove to the world that she is above the racism and hatred and will not allow it to be a part of her life.
Good luck to her and to you. I think you are a good grandma! :)
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
And you are a good mamma. I just want her to have more of a history lesson than I can give her. I am running out of time and being on disability I tire very easily and can't run to the library to research all of the things I wish that I could. Children deserve better ~Donna
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
2 Feb 07
i think there should just be a "Cultural History Month" rather than breaking it into categories. America IS a melting pot, afterall.
As far as yoru lovely grandchild goes, all you can do is tell her those people that call her the "n" word are ignorant jerks who do not deserve to know her.
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Thank you so very much for this comment also. And what I replied above, I meant not to say "any special recognitions"; but any special race/culture recognitions. There will always be people and events that deserve the recognition they are given ~Donna
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Feb 07
It would not be practical to have a Chinese history month, Mexican history month etcetera, because we would need to reconfigure the calendar to encompass several hundred months per year.
Nevertheless, I feel that a Black History Month is a justifiable occasion because it constitutes a vast portion of American history.
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Many thanks to both of you for your responses. I did not mean what I said about the "culture months" in a literal sense. I meant that American the Beautiful should embrace a Multi-Cultural stance instead of the lily white place that it comes from. You are both right, there should be no NEED for a Black History Month - it should be something that is automatically taught, as are all the other cultures. As for it being my responsibility to educate my granddaughter, I have posted a response to another comment that she is not in contact with me in any form other than email at this time. That was one of the reasons for this discussion. I was hoping to get responses that I could copy and paste and email to her. I appreciate the time you spent on your comments ~Donna
@fiyahcreation (2140)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I celebrate black history month 365 days of the year
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
As you should dear woman, and 366 on Leap Year ~Donna
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I'm not sure what you mean - but thank you for responding and commenting ~Donna
@sweets9900 (726)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I also have experienced my son being called the "n" word also for the first time. It is very important for her to know about African Americans and what our ancestors have been through. When people use that word, they are just ignorant. I know it's hard for her to ignore, but just tell her that's she better than that. People will say all types of things to hurt you but you have to overlook them because those type of people who sya those things are ignorant. To find out more information do a internet search on african american history. I think she'll find some great information. There are so many people she can learn about such as Jan Ernst Matzeligher, Elijah McCoy, Madam C.J. Walker just to name a few. Let her know that she can hold her head up high, and be proud of her heritage because African Americans have been part of so many great things and inventions. Good Luck...
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
19 Feb 07
Thank you so much sweets. I only wish she were here with me and not across the country now and with no telephone and limited email access. What I had hoped for with this discussion were "mini history lessons". I was so hoping that our dear African American/Black sisters and brothers would hop on board and share information passed down from generations before. I do thank you for sharing and good luck with your son. ~Donna
@dmajkc (196)
• United States
2 Feb 07
These holidays and celebrations due nothing other than to continually divide Americans. I don't need the government or a holiday to tell me when/what I need to celebrate in regards
to my cultural history.
If the country continues on this path, we will lose the hope that Dr King and other black Civil Rights leaders fought so hard for. The hope of day when all Americans would be united instead of divided.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Thank you for your opinion and comments ~Donna
@krystal85 (71)
• United States
2 Feb 07
When I was in middle school my teacher had us watch Eye On The Prize.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Krystal, I am not familiar with that movie; but I will ask a few questions. Did it teach you anything about civil rights and civil strife? Did it teach you anything about racism? When the movie was over did the teacher have an open classromm discussion about it? Was the discussion held in a positive light or was the air of tension high? What did you bring away from the movie. I am impressed that you remember what grade you were in when you saw it, so it must have had some impact on your life. I would like for you to share it if you feel comfortable in doing so. If not, I do thank you for answering this post ~Donna
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Krystal, I am not familiar with that movie; but I will ask a few questions. Did it teach you anything about civil rights and civil strife? Did it teach you anything about racism? When the movie was over did the teacher have an open classromm discussion about it? Was the discussion held in a positive light or was the air of tension high? What did you bring away from the movie. I am impressed that you remember what grade you were in when you saw it, so it must have had some impact on your life. I would like for you to share it if you feel comfortable in doing so. If not, I do thank you for answering this post ~Donna
1 person likes this
@krystal85 (71)
• United States
2 Feb 07
The movie is called Eyes On The Prize. It comes in 7 parts but I don't remember how long each part is. It is really a documentary and not a movie. It is about the Civil Rights Movement. I remember the teacher writing down quesition that we had to answer to make sure we really did pay attention. I leared alot from the movies. You might be able to get it on Amazon. I hear that they have a part 2. I think this documentary will help alot. They also have interviews with different people in the movie.
2 people like this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I think that the whole month should be dedicated. There are people who just have a need to cut things down. America is a great country because she has gathered all people to her chest and given them opportunities to better themselves. I think that children should be taught to hold their heads up high and be taught about their heritage. That is what forms us. Let your granddaughter know that not all people are so small that they have to belittle someone else simply because there is a difference there.
2 people like this
@Savannahsmiles (110)
• United States
2 Feb 07
i think it should definatly be celebrated, i cant tell you of any black history bc i am white,,,,in my skin,,,in my heart i am everything but...sometimes in my small town of 6000 i am humiliated to be white, i thikn only majority black counties and area should get the honor of celebrating that day... where i live 98% are very racist and i get to live here being me, a person who excepts everyone as they are....i honestly think if you are racist you shouldnt get to have this day off...why celebrate what you hate.....they are closed minded and ...wait i can say im racist....against racist people...lol.
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Savannah, When I was young and in primary school I felt exactly like you do now. Out of the entire school from grades 1-8 there was one African American family and their 4 children where spread throughout different grades. One of their sons, Jimmy was in my class. He and I became great friends and I still think of him often. I can remember how very humiliating it was when in music class we had to sing a song called "Old Black Joe". I still remember all of the words to it and get angry every time those words come back to me. I have no right to them. They are the spiritual words of the Black Community - they don't belong to me. Keep being and doing what you are doing and eventually you will be able to make someone else see past the color barrier ~Donna
@bonbon50 (659)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Looks like your grandchild is being taught enough about African American history by the pure absence of her father in her life. If her father had stuck around long enough to have gotten to know and love her, she would be standing tall and proud no matter who called her what. Let's put the blame where it belongs......
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I'm really not sure that I understand what you are saying here and I hope that you come back to explain it a little more. Right now it seems that you have a negative tone to this comment; but I could be reading incorrectly. Whichever way you meant it, thank you for taking the time to respond? ~Donna
@Fluplup (555)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I grow up in east europe with this mind "we all same and equal" you share and give what you can to help people. I think what really count what is in your hart. I do take Her to a good church so she can heal, and learn from "Him"!
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Flup, I'm not sure who theh "she" is that you are talking about that needs the healing; but I pray to the God and Goddess that she be blessed with the spirit of love that I know you are giving her ~Donna
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
2 Feb 07
i think there should just be an overall "Culture History Month" rather than breaking it down into categopries.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I almost agree - I'm more in favor of teaching a Multicultural History in school and teaching our children at home that we are One and we are the Same. If this should ever happen, we would have no need for any special recognitions ~Donna
@sreerajkm (34)
• India
2 Feb 07
now a days color becoming more important tha before. Actually why this black history celebration? it will automatically make some difference in between black and white...so there is no need for such a celebration. if you celebrate this means you are agree with all these no sense activities...
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Thank you so much for your comments and your opinions. I appreciate you responding to this discussion ~Donna
