It has been so long that I don’t actually remember when I started celebrating Black history. I do recall that it started out as Black History Week.
Upon quiet reflection and over time, I have come to realize that Black folks created and invented a lot of things. For example, Alexander Mills invented the elevator and Albert R. Robinson invented the electric trolley. In addition, John Love invented the pencil sharpener and John Burr invented the lawn mower.
As I grew older, a week of Black history turned into an entire month. I am sure that Carter G. Woodson in 1926 didn’t really think about this turn of events. Yet, I suspect the contributions were so enormous that one week simply would not do.
There are some compelling issues to be examined regarding Black History Month as we know it to be now.
There are those who are calling for an end to Black History Month. They argue that there ought to be a seamless transition from Black history to American history. Proponents further say that Black History Month further separates and segregates our society.
I feel that, as long as many of the learning tools and dispensers of information give out little or partial information, then Black History Month must continue. I agree that our history should be interwoven into American history, however, at this point, the rhetoric and the practice of the rhetoric don’t match.
I have often mused whether talking intentionally about the contributions of Black people make some people uncomfortable. I am sensitive to this comfort issue, however, sometimes folks have to feel uneasy in order to appreciate the facts.
