The U.S. still isn't ready for (the elimination of) Black History Month.

Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's just my perception. 

In general, this Black History Month feels like it has been one of the more contentious ones in recent memory. Usually the annual commemoration passes by without much notice outside of the Black community. I suspect the Obama presidency has been a factor in changing things this year. But the level of bitterness (and ignorance) that have been stirred up are at a point I wouldn't have expected in 2009,  particularly not from a place like New York City! The New York Post's cartoon featuring police officers shooting a chimp while commenting about the stimulus package is one example of thinly-veiled racism (or rampant ignorance). But I'm also still receiving emails about the baker who created the "drunked negro face" cookies. I don't remember when I first heard about those, but the fact that I'm still hearing about them weeks later has me wondering whether the baker is still selling them and trying to convince others that they're in good taste.

Of course I'm not trying to single out New York City. I'm probably hearing about these examples simply because they occurred in New York and it's hard to escape scrutiny there. Odds are that a lot more mischief has happened around the country, but that fewer people are aware of those occurrences because they happened in smaller places. Either way, a raw nerve is being plucked. Sadly, it has the potential to manifest itself into something very ugly on a larger scale unless we address it as a society. Attorney General Eric Holder was right in calling out the country regarding our racial dynamics and I'm eager to see what he's going to do to encourage more people to talk openly instead of resorting to the kinds of insensitive expressions mentioned above.

Then there are those who suggest that we should do away with Black History Month completely. 

I understand the point that Black history is American history and therefore should be spread out throughout the year rather than concentrated into one month. But, the argument in favor of eliminating the month seems simplistic and plays into lingering collective feelings of insecurity and marginalization. A community that consistently feels marginalized and insecure will continually reflect upon those feelings and view its history in myopically. As applied to Black History Month, I find that many of its events are repetitive and somber, as the commemorations revisit similar points in history year after year. With Black History Month coming right after Dr. King's holiday, we hear annual references to the struggles of the Civil Rights movement and the predictable remarks about how Dr. King never saw his dream become reality. The anniversary of Malcolm X's death is also during Black History Month, as is Lincoln's birthday, which of course makes many people reflect on American slavery. With those being the most referenced topics during Black History Month, is it any surprise that people are growing tired of it and calling for its elimination?

However, instead of doing away with Black History Month, I'd like to see more energy injected into it. First, let's incorporate a broader range of evens and activities. Instead of looking back at the same points in history every year, shed light on lesser known ones. With nearly 400 years of history to explore, there are plenty of topics and approaches to keep Black History Month feeling fresh. This year's events in Roxbury suggest that the Black community (here at least) is beginning to open up to a wider examination of Black history. Hopefully that development will continue.

Second, it's time for my generation to step up to the plate and begin injecting itself into the conversation. Too often we rely upon previous generations to "be historic," but they can only carry that on for so long. Besides, every generation should create its own style for how it presents itself. I know I'm at fault for dropping the ball this year. A suburban school asked me to be the featured artist for their Black History Month celebration, but I missed out on the opportunity because I didn't see myself as being a part of Black history. And perhaps that's the problem. Instead of being caught up in a history month, maybe it's time to recast it as Black Heritage Month? Personally, I would feel more inspired to participate in an event with a broader definition and I think more people would be inspired to participate and experience the diversity of the community if they weren't so caught up in the trappings of history.

More to the point, I don't think American society would benefit from the elimination of Black History Month (or any of the other history and heritage months) at this point in time. The mainstream media, the standards of beauty and fashion, and the general historic narrative of the country are still told primarily from a Caucasian point of view. Celebrities of color are occasionally held out as representatives for diversity, but that only lasts as long as their popularity. True diversity has to reach a place where everyone feels and believes that they benefit from a deeper understanding of and connection to other cultures and acts upon it. As a society, we also need to expand the narrative of our story to include the breadth of experience beyond a few key points in time. Until we reach those points, we shouldn't be in a rush to do away with commemorative occasions that force us to take a collective look at ourselves, to see what we've overcome, and to see what we've accomplished as a country. 

Comments

[Can-Can]

Even with Black History Month being celebrated there are still lots of schools that don't observe it. I think it will be a long time before Black History Month, Latino Heritage Month and Women's History Month can be eliminated. Holidays and celebrations are special times in every culture to illuminate the best and commemorate achievements.
(I already commented on the chimpanzee cartoon on another blog - moving on from that and other things like that.)