Celebrating Black History Month

a reply to: JBurns

I am surprised you don't have a " British History Month "

After all, without Britain there would have been no U.S.

originally posted by: alldaylong
a reply to: JBurns

I am surprised you don't have a " British History Month "

After all, without Britain there would have been no U.S.

Usually that's every month that's not February.

a reply to: alldaylong

The British have always been highly discussed in American history textbooks. The blacks, not so much.

Anything that encourages Americans to learn more about their history is a good thing.
Will we ever reach a point where terms like African American can be dropped and we just consider ourselves Americans regardless of color?
That is my dream but the politics of racial division is a poison well politicians can't help but drink from.

a reply to: kaylaluv

The British have always been highly discussed in American history textbooks

Aren't we always portrayed as " The Baddies " though ?

originally posted by: Hewhowaits
Let's not forget the Buffalo Soldiers, or the Tuskegee Airman.

I have had the pleasure of meeting a few Tuskegee Airman in the past, interesting perspective from them.

originally posted by: alldaylong
a reply to: kaylaluv

The British have always been highly discussed in American history textbooks

Aren't we always portrayed as " The Baddies " though ?

Not necessarily. Remember, most of the first settlers were British.

originally posted by: alldaylong

Aren't we always portrayed as " The Baddies " though ?

If I was going to label we got to suggest the Spanish that basically decimated the vast majority of those living in Americas and wiped out a few empires...lol

As for BHM...I would suggest the Dutch since they were the primary slave traders in the first place. The French were not too far behind though...

originally posted by: kaylaluv
It’s just a time to remember and celebrate. You know, like Veteran’s Day and Christmas.

Ok, I see what you mean. But Christmas really is a religious holiday.

But Veteran's Day or Black History doesn't feel like something that should only be remembered 'here' or 'there'. Those are real things, often traumatic historical events which feels like something people shouldn't need forcing to remember, or have a certain time when it's meant to be celebrated, only for it to be forgotten until 'that time' again.

I'm not trying to have a go at these days of importance. I think I'm just questioning the idea of allocated times to remember genuinely important events and times in humanity. Feels like they are all special and important and valuable and should have equal importance, or none of them are.

I opt for the former.

a reply to: StallionDuck

Hadn't seen that before. Very good. You're right - he said exactly what I was trying to say.

I would celebrate it by eating some stereotypically black foods ("soul" food, if you will), but I already do that. That's a problem. Any overt celebration that includes what might be considered black food or clothing or behavior is just going to look stereotypical.

originally posted by: alldaylong
a reply to: JBurns
I am surprised you don't have a " British History Month "
After all, without Britain there would have been no U.S.

We celebrate getting our butts kicked by the British in the War of 1812.

Is this just an American thing? African history is quite rich - in Africa. Black American history is less rich and nothing special then (say) the native Americans, or even other groups of immigrants - forced, or not.

The history of Africans out-of-Africa is quite diverse and predates the US by quite a way. There were Africans in England back with the Romans, for example.

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: alldaylong
a reply to: JBurns
I am surprised you don't have a " British History Month "
After all, without Britain there would have been no U.S.

We celebrate getting our butts kicked by the British in the War of 1812.

Do they have BBQ's at The White House ?

After that little fire we started there in 1814, they may have to be more careful.

Black History Month only serves to divide Americans.

originally posted by: alldaylong
Do they have BBQ's at The White House ?
After that little fire we started there in 1814, they may have to be more careful.

We eventually got even with you by sending you all the seasons of "Friends."

originally posted by: Blue Shift
I would celebrate it by eating some stereotypically black foods ("soul" food, if you will), but I already do that. That's a problem. Any overt celebration that includes what might be considered black food or clothing or behavior is just going to look stereotypical.

That's racist! It's not culturally appropriate either if you're white!

Shame. *ding ding!*

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: alldaylong
Do they have BBQ's at The White House ?
After that little fire we started there in 1814, they may have to be more careful.

We eventually got even with you by sending you all the seasons of "Friends."

Some of us where lucky.

We managed to get into the shelters before it was aired.

originally posted by: Tempter
Black History Month only serves to divide Americans.

True. But common sense no longer prevails in America. I've always agreed with Morgan Freeman. (video linked on page 1)

originally posted by: Tempter
Black History Month only serves to divide Americans.

That's why we like to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas -- to include everyone!