Is Black History Month Routine or Still a Celebration?

2. What was the purpose of the landmark case of Brown vs. Board of Education?

3. What year was the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision overturned?

If you had a difficult time answering the questions above, you are victim to a deficiency in Black history. Unfortunately, you are not to blame because the university only offers cultural classes in Native American, Mexican American, and Women’s Studies. True, these cultures are important; but what about African American history?

You might ask yourself: “So why is Black History month important to me? I’m not Black.” Well let’s hit a bit closer to home for you?

For you Dave Chappelle fans, had it not been for comedians like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor who performed at the segregated hole- in- the- walls of the “chitlin circuit,” there would have been no “I’m Rick James!” t-shirt.

Another performer who traveled the same circuit and changed the sound of rock and roll music with his flamboyant style is the untouchable Jimi Hendrix.
Do you still feel it’s irrelevant?

Many people forget that February has been identified as Black history month. At the beginning of each year, we celebrate the birthday and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This sparks the start of Black history month. Since the month’s declaration back in 1976, the enthusiasm behind this historical reflection has faded to just remembering the changes made during the civil rights movement.

“Unfortunately, I do not know more about Black history besides the stuff like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. But I would like to know more history other that what I see every year,” said Vidal Quintanilla, vice president of recruitment of the Islander Cultural Alliance.

During Black history month, we are often limited to the works of figures like Dr. King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman. This excludes the works of others throughout the civil rights movement that helped overcome slavery and segregation. The media does not commercialize people such as W. E. B Dubois, Carter G. Woodson, and Sojourner Truth. Some people don’t have the luxury to learn of Frederick Douglas, George Washington Carver, and Booker T. Washington briefly during high school courses.

It is important that we acknowledge present figures like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Halle Berry who are opening new doors for African Americans to become successful billionaires. Political leaders such as Jesse Jackson, and Barak Obama, and the recently passed Correta Scott King should be recognized for their continual work in civil rights.
“I told my teacher that Coretta Scott King had just passed away that morning .When I said that everybody in the classroom was like ‘What? Who is she? Who is that?’ and I was just disgusted at that,” stated Grace Usoro, a first-year student.

Have we started taking our freedoms for granted? This includes the freedom of whites, Blacks, Asians, Latinos and more to be able to learn together in one room.
Courtney Heard, a former student of a historically Black university stated that the celebration of Black history was ongoing in school.
“At Dillard University, Black culture was always celebrated everyday day of the year. So, Black history month for us was no different from what we were already doing throughout the year,” says Heard.

Black culture has become easily accessible and commercialized through the hip hop culture that many people feel no need to explore Black history.
Rap music, for example started from genres such as Gospel and Rhythm and Blues which stems from old slavery hymns. These same hymns led many slaves to freedom with lyrics of pain and suffering that are similar to lyrics in rap music today.
The dance moves seenon the dance floor can easily be traced back to the tribes of Africa.

At one point or another, Black history has touched every one of our lives in a different area whether it’s in our studies, music, friends, wardrobe, hairstyle…anything.
Can you imagine a 2006 without integration? How different would your life be?
Take the time out today and study a Black history fact you don’t already know and spread the word.