Black History Month...and other Months?

Hello all,

First, a big Happy Black History Month, to those that celebrate it (not sure if it's celebrated outside the United States or not). While I know there's a lot of people on all sides of the color spectrum who disagree with such a month existing, I can personally say each year I learn something new that wasn't in schoolbooks when I grew up, and it's usually something I wouldn't have thought to research otherwise. So it does serve some purpose to me at least, and I'm rather interested to see what new things will be talked about aside from the same old things talked about each year.

However, it got me wondering...aren't there other "official" months as well? I could swear there was something like national Cancer Awareness month, or national World Hunger month, or something... however, I can't seem to get a successful Google on a list of "official months"... the best I got was a really informative list of holidays, but I'm thinking "months", not "days".

(edit add) Additionally, as the racial demographic in the U.S. becomes more diverse and numerous, should we in the future consider adding a "Latino History Month", an "Asian History Month", and so forth? I mean that as a serious question, not as a snide remark.

Also, I'm not entirely certain if this post belongs here, so I apologize in advance if I put this in the wrong forum.

[edit on 2/2/2007 by thelibra]

[edit on 2/2/2007 by thelibra]

You know I thought there were other months as well....

I have even heard of Cancer Awareness Month...

Wonder where one could get a list...

I'll be looking..

ps...

This probably goes in "Social Issues."

Semper

January may soon be stalking awareness month.

[110th] H.CON.RES.30 : Raising awareness and encouraging prevention of stalking by establishing January 2007 as "National Stalking Awareness Month".
Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] (introduced 1/11/2007)

The line of stupid has been crossed long long ago.
Whats the point of making these months?
It gives the Hisotry channel a theme for 30 days?
Its an excuse for upitty rich people to have a dinner party?
Its an excuse for speakers to make some money?

Its not like cancer, stalking, or black people would go unrecognized if January, February and March didnt exist. Or would they? Perhaps the month of February is racist and its all Januarys fault theres a lump in my scrotum?

hmmmmmm........

February (of all things) is National “National Awareness” Awareness Month! Lol!….

Each month has several “awareness –historical” dedications…which tend to become more than silly and loose their meaning when packed-on for example:

Also February is designated:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month,Black History Month, Body Awareness Month, Electrical Safety Awareness Month, Heart Disease Awareness Month, Heartworm Awareness Month, Low Vision Awareness Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, National Pet Dental Health Awareness Month, Safety Awareness Month, School-Based Health Center Awareness Month, Sinus Pain Awareness Month, Termite Awareness Month

Here is a link which purports to list month designations…

mg

And the only one having to do with white people is "White Male Oppression Awareness Month"! I can't really find any more info on that. I think it's a gag.

But I think there should be a White History Awareness Month, too! I say this because "white history" as taught in schools is FULL of inaccuracies and biased accounts, not to mention the whole rewriting of history angle.

I'm all for awareness of history. But since we have February as "Black History Month" to correct all the past black history and bring to light all the things that are left out of History classes in school, I think it only serves a completely rounded education to bring to light the inaccuracies about white history as well.

For Christ's sake, if we can have a National Sausage Month, can't we use a month to correct the history of the white people?

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
And the only one having to do with white people is "White Male Oppression Awareness Month"!

I can't really find any more info on that. I think it's a gag.

But I think there should be a White History Awareness Month, too!

Huh?
Why?
All history that is taugh is white history. Even 'global history' is where you learn about 'other' cultures, pre-colonial contact, as if they were european civilizations, and its just a lead up to colonial contact.

Its not about 'inaccuracies', we don't say 'yes there are inaccuracies in our understanding of blacks, therefore, rather than correct them, we'll have a month each year about it'. Its a matter of more or less ignoring blacks in standard history classes throughout the year, so they wanted to be able to say 'at least during this month, take care to go over some stuff'.

We don't need a white history month, because the history we learn is completely eurocentric in the first place. What purpose would 'taking care' to focus on it at any one point serve?

Besides black history month is the shortest month anyway, so its not like its too much of a burden.

[edit on 2-2-2007 by Nygdan]

Originally posted by Nygdan
Huh?
Why?

I said why in my post. If you read it carefully, I'm sure you'll find the answer there.

All history that is taugh is white history.

I know that. But there are surely other pieces of history that I (and perhaps others) would find interesting. Why stop learning about our history after we've memorized the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

Besides black history month is the shortest month anyway, so its not like its too much of a burden.

It's not a burden at all to me. Like I said, I have no problem with it. I just think it would be nice to use "White History Month" to correct some inaccuracies, without regard to Black History Month or the purpose of it.

I'm quite sure that during European Hedgehog Awareness Month (June if you're not a follower), they're not taking time in classrooms to devote to education of the European Hedgehog. I'm not suggesting it for schools, necessarily. I'm thinking a few PBS shows, maybe some Public Service Announcements like:

*With patriotic music in the background, and pictures of Helen Keller playing across the screen*

Helen Keller’s life is one example of the historical controversy left out of American history.

The story most of us know is that she overcame her deafness and blindness in a heroic fashion to have a long career as a great humanitarian; she therefore teaches students the virtues of hard work and perseverance.

However, the textbooks in high schools (and many in universities) choose not to teach us that she is regarded as a great humanitarian because she spoke on behalf of socialism and radical change in a period of staunch nationalism and capitalist control. She came to realize that social class was a controlling factor for opportunities, even in the “land of the free.” Many textbooks (e.g. The American Nation) simply end the story of Helen Keller when she learns to read and write as a child, because challenging the social hierarchy is a taboo issue for textbook writers.

The textbooks deprive students of examining a dynamic humanitarian, in favor of presenting a bland, idealistic version of her, whitewashing away the bulk of Keller’s life experience. However, the inclusion of this information would allow students to gain more from Keller’s experience by discovering her motives as well as her deeds.
Inaccurate History

Or perhaps some information from Howard Zinn... Just something to think about.

My idea isn't in direct response to Black History Month, thinking that White History Month would be just like it, only white. I've always thought it would be a good idea.

[edit on 2-2-2007 by Benevolent Heretic]

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
And the only one having to do with white people is "White Male Oppression Awareness Month"!

I can't really find any more info on that. I think it's a gag.

I believe it is…it ties into an old joke around the time states were placing “black history month” on the books…

…either that or it was integrated into the “Diversity Awareness Month” of October…




mg

There's a simple explanation for Black History Month.

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week. This later was expanded into Black History Month. Until then, blacks weren't taught a thing about their history.

You don't need a White History Month, IMO, because your American education is already Eurocentric. But, I do wonder why the shortest month in the year is BHM...

Thanks for the handy list.

Here's the reason I brought the whole subject up. My office sent out a company-wide memo saying they would be celebrating Black History Month. I think that's a fantastic idea. I now intend to ask them to also celebrate the other months as well. After all, it would be considered unfair employment practices to single out one ethnic demographic, and ignore the others (such as March, for instance, is Asian American Awareness Month, June is Latino Health Awareness Month, July is Psychiatric Disability Month, August is Allergy Awareness Month, etc.... etc....) and whenever there's not a specific demographic to single out, we can focus on whatever safety or health cause is going ignored.

We'll make every month extra extra special! Yay!

Originally posted by truthseeka
You don't need a White History Month, IMO, because your American education is already Eurocentric.

One whole side of my ancestors didn't come from Europe. They came from HERE. I didn't see a "Native American History Month" on that list either... Nor a Latino History Month. Plus, as I have stated, American History as taught in school sucks!

I wonder why you're so opposed to other people having "months" of their own... Interesting.

But, I do wonder why the shortest month in the year is BHM...

It started because both Lincoln and Douglass' birthdays are in February.

Now, you could just assume it's because people don't believe that black people deserve one of the longer months and that it's the system trying to hold you down, or you could try a Google.

February and Black History

February has much more than Douglass and Lincoln to show for its significance in Black history. For example:

* February 23, 1868: W.E.B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was born.
* February 3, 1870: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed, granting Blacks the right to vote.
* February 25, 1870: The first Black U.S. Senator, Hiram Rhodes Revels, took his oath of office.
* February 12, 1909: The NAACP was founded by a group of concerned and moderate black, Jewish and white citizens in New York City.
* February 1, 1960: In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, North Carolina, college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
* February 21, 1965: Malcolm X, who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.
Source

Now I'm just being ornery here but don't they teach you that in civil rights class?

I want Art History Month.
I love art. It makes our world beautiful.
People tend to take it for granted.

I'd like a Native American History Month.

Talk about getting screwed. We were here first, and everyone except us has their own month... even the damned hedgehogs!

Originally posted by thelibra
I now intend to ask them to also celebrate the other months as well.
...
we can focus on whatever safety or health cause is going ignored.

Better read over the entire list before you ask about it. There are some months in there I don't think the whole office might want to be focusing on... If you know what I mean.



p.s. I didn't mean to sidetrack your thread with the idea of "WHM". I didn't know it would get such flack.

Originally posted by thelibra
I'd like a Native American History Month.

I think Native American History and culture is super cool!
I use to love to read about all the different Indian tribes when I was a kid.
I admire the way they lived off the land, didn't pollute everything, loved nature.
When I was a kid I remember I wanted a teepee so bad.
I had my Mom buy me a feather headdress. She made me a brown fringe vest.
We use to play Indians and make little campfires in the woods and roast hotdogs, LOL!

Originally posted by rocknroll
I had my Mom buy me a feather headdress. She made me a brown fringe vest.
We use to play Indians and make little campfires in the woods and roast hotdogs, LOL!

Ah, yes. The Indians and their hot dogs. Your mom sounds cool.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
One whole side of my ancestors didn't come from Europe. They came from HERE. I didn't see a "Native American History Month" on that list either... Nor a Latino History Month. Plus, as I have stated, American History as taught in school sucks!

I wonder why you're so opposed to other people having "months" of their own... Interesting.

Oh, and you're the only one with "real" American blood (Native American) flowing through your veins. Bet you'd be surprised that I also have Native American heritage.

And another thing, you are quite fond of twisting people's words around. I haven't called you out on it before, but I will now. Look at what you said in bold. Flatout manipulation of what I said...nah, screw that, a flat out LIE.

Did I say I was against Native American month? Asian American month? Latino American month? Please quote me where I said this, I'll be waiting.

What I DID say that I feel a European American month is unnecessary, and I gave a valid reason why.

I ignored your response in the other thread to my comment about people I know being hoed by their coaches in high school. Remember? Your snide little comment about "yeah, it's soooo hard for blacks to get into sports."

Now THAT is interesting...

Originally posted by truthseeka
Oh, and you're the only one with "real" American blood (Native American) flowing through your veins.

Uh, I do have Native American heritage, but I didn't say anything about "real" American blood. Who is twisting whose words?

Flatout manipulation of what I said...nah, screw that, a flat out LIE.

Excuse me? So you're NOT opposed to other people having "months" of their own? Because that's what I thought you meant when you said this:

Originally posted by truthseeka
You don't need a White History Month, IMO...

I thought that meant you were opposed to a "WHM"...

Did I say I was against Native American month? Asian American month? Latino American month?

Nope. Just white people. :shk:

What I DID say that I feel a European American month is unnecessary,

No, you didn't! Who's twisting words again??? You said "White History Month", not "European American month".

And you're saying I twist words and lie? :shk:

being hoed by their coaches in high school. Remember?

Well, I'm sorry. I don't understand that comment. "Hoed by their coaches"?

I DO remember making the snide comment, however. I do that sometimes. I think you'll find many people here are sarcastic from time to time and some are even "snide" to make a point. I am no exception. And neither are you, by the way.

I'm sorry if you were offended by my comment.

I don't believe this was the intended subject of the thread, so I'm not really interested in arguing further about this with you here.

Originally posted by thelibra
aren't there other "official" months as well?

www.infoplease.com...

Hispanic Heritage Month is September.

No one ever does anything about it. There were posters in the halls at my daughter's school, but there was no education about anything hispanic-American at all. It just comes and goes each year unnoticed.

Originally posted by truthseeka
I also have Native American heritage.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
I do have Native American heritage,

AWESOME! My mothers mother 'came off the reservation' as they say. She was most likely Pequot. My mom used to ask her about her native-American-Indian heritage and my grandmother wouldn't discuss it. That part of my family heritage is now lost .. but my mother and I THINK that my grandmother was from the Pequots (or a tribe near them).

What tribes are your ancestors from? HECK .. we could be related!