Black History: The Path We Tread
 

THANKS MATTY FOR ALLOWING ME TO WRITE THIS:

I thought about this for awhile, what does Black History means to me, and I can go down the list of all the great accomplishments that African Americans have made in History and in life and its many, way more than even as a African American I know, so I want pretend that I'm a expert on the subject, because I probably should know alot more than I do. Ok I know that we have over come great odds in History,...but so have other cultures, to me BH is about everyone understanding what part we play in life, the way we treat people, talk to people, help people, and respect each other difference....that's the most important one of all...because face it or not...our cultures are what make us different, our looks our skin color our taste for life, but isn't that what make us different, but the same, I have many friends of different back ground and cultures, and they tell me that to them they are color blind...."color blind" I say....please explain and they would say almost the same, that they don't see color in people, and Iwould respond that's wrong "because in a color blind world, everything is still Black and White, so there is no escaping it, we must reconize the difference in others and ourselves......African Americans have came along way in making strides to be successful and making our mark in this country, and so to me BH has a new meaning every year. BH should have a great meaning to all of us, it shouldn't just mean that Black Americans have a month out of the year to celebrate its history, It should mean we all have something to celebrate, whether your black or not. Isn't that what history is all about. ( I want to dedicate this to all African Americans, who have pathe the way for me and all younger generation AA to become and be the best)

ONE LOVE

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

any thoughts........

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

[QUOTE=ST21]any thoughts........[/QUOTE]

ST21, I respect your honesty and your integrity. Unfortunately, 365 days let alone 28 days is not enough time to deal with our history. I lecture and teach on the subject of Ancient African History which to many including African-Americans is not taken seriously. To often Ancient Egypt the most researched civilization is by far the most misrepresented because it was from its origin a black civilization. Many don't know that Egypt is actually in Africa. Instead the media calls this area the Middle East? With so much access to information via the internet, you can go to any website by Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Yosef-Ben Jochanann or Dr. John Henrik Clarke.

I have been very blessed and fortunate enough to learn from these gentlemen some of the most prolific educators both black and white who instilled in me the knowledge of Africa and the legacy we brought here in the hulls of slaves ships. I visited Africa in 1992, more importantly Sudan and Egypt, and quite frankly it transformed my life. I returned to the USA and opened a bookstore dedicated to the African and African-American experience. My perception of myself and others was resolute. It taught me that you cannot truly understand other people's history and culture if you don't first know and understand your own and the role you must play in continuing that legacy.

The mistake the educational system makes is starting Black History Month with Slavery and ending it with Dr.Martin Luther King. Nevermind discussing the thousands of years of history we made before coming to these shores.
Lastly, African Americans MUST learn and embrace Egypt and look to that civilization as an example in the same way that the decendants of Europe look to Greece as the source of their cultural and educational achievements.

If anyone wants more information on African and African-American history please feel free to contact me.

Peace, Sunra

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

which comedian said something like, "they gave us the shortest month of the year!"

anyway, it's sad that most of our public schools teach a eurocentric curriculum of US and world history. the fruits we enjoy as americans exist because of people throughout the entire spectrum of life.

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

[QUOTE=itvnetop]which comedian said something like, "they gave us the shortest month of the year!"

anyway, it's sad that most of our public schools teach a eurocentric curriculum of US and world history. the fruits we enjoy as americans exist because of people throughout the entire spectrum of life.[/QUOTE]

This is absolutely not to diminish any race, nation, or empire in mankind's history, but I think there's a very good reason the schools focus on Europe and the US.

Name the greatest empires in history?

Egypt
Greece
Troy
Rome
Middle Ages: England, Spain, France

And the present day greatest empire: the United States. And if you're going to examine history as it pertains to the United States, you'd be remissed to exclude the roles Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union played.

In fact, I'd say if there are any great cultures in history that get overlooked in our public schools, I'd say it is the Chinese history, with the Ming Dynasty and such.

This is NOT to diminish the roles that African/African Americans have played in history. But it's hard to justify an in-depth look at Carthage when school days are limited to 180 per year, and the obvious focus should be on the greatest civilizations in history.

This is why I think it's so important to break out American History from World History in public schools. World History needs to focus on the world's greatest civilizations and touch upon the most important achievements in man's history. Having a separate class for American history allows for teachers and students to examine the important roles that African Americans played in the country's development.

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10]This is absolutely not to diminish any race, nation, or empire in mankind's history, but I think there's a very good reason the schools focus on Europe and the US.

Name the greatest empires in history?

Egypt
Greece
Troy
Rome
Middle Ages: England, Spain, France

And the present day greatest empire: the United States. And if you're going to examine history as it pertains to the United States, you'd be remissed to exclude the roles Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union played.

In fact, I'd say if there are any great cultures in history that get overlooked in our public schools, I'd say it is the Chinese history, with the Ming Dynasty and such.

This is NOT to diminish the roles that African/African Americans have played in history. But it's hard to justify an in-depth look at Carthage when school days are limited to 180 per year, and the obvious focus should be on the greatest civilizations in history.

This is why I think it's so important to break out American History from World History in public schools. World History needs to focus on the world's greatest civilizations and touch upon the most important achievements in man's history. Having a separate class for American history allows for teachers and students to examine the important roles that African Americans played in the country's development.[/QUOTE

WHAT.....

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

If we seek ONE LOVE why hold up 1 color or 1 group?
Is there a White History Month?
White Entertainment Television?
The White Music Awards?

Those ideas are as racist as a Black History Month.

I LOVE all the colors in GOD's crayon box and no color should be set aside or make itself standout above or away from other colors if we all seek ONE LOVE.

peace
mike

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

[QUOTE=Sammy Baugh Fan]

Those ideas are as racist as a Black History Month.

peace
mike[/QUOTE]

BHM can be looked at in two ways- your way is one of them.

I'm not African American, but I think BHM serves as a reminder to America of the contributions that AA's have made to this country. If our history books gave our school children more than a chapter on the achievements made by black Americans, I'd say we could scrap BHM. In all honesty, any kind of "month" is kind of like giving a handout to a culture.

If schools weren't forced to observe BHM, many kids around the country wouldn't know who George Washington Carver or Frederick Douglas is. Until our curriculum is rounded, BHM is quite needed.

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

[QUOTE=itvnetop]If schools weren't forced to observe BHM, many kids around the country wouldn't know who George Washington Carver or Frederick Douglas is. Until our curriculum is rounded, BHM is quite needed.[/QUOTE]

I learned about those great Americans years before any BHM was ever thought of. I learned of them in the white bread south in the 1960-70s.

African Americans are 12% of our Nation. Hispanics are 25%
Should we now give them 2 months for HHM?

Eskimos get 3 days of EH3D

~smiles

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

Can I get a few days for Amputees?
1/2 day?

Bwhahahahaha!

Sorry, my sick 1 legged humor "stepped" in

lol
peace
mike

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

I love my country... but we are far too arrogant for this new 'global' environment. Focusing on American History in our schools (while interesting and important), does a disservice to all of our children, regardless of race or origin, and is largely responsible for the fear and ignorance with which we collectively view other cultures.

History should not be taught in terms of empires and military campaigns, but rather as cultures - and from a global perspective. Perhaps another generation will correct our educational deficiencies. Mine is incapable. Until then, I embrace BHM as an opportunity to be developed.

Thank you ST21 for your thoughtful perspective.

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

st21 i for one think its meaningless to have black history month.the many blacks and african americans that have played a vital part in our rich american history should be incorporated into such.maybe many of the text and teaching philosphies are so outdated that this isnt the case.but we ALL need to be included according to time frame and importance

Re: Black History: The Path We Tread
 

[QUOTE=crlesh]I love my country... but we are far too arrogant for this new 'global' environment. Focusing on American History in our schools (while interesting and important), does a disservice to all of our children, regardless of race or origin, and is largely responsible for the fear and ignorance with which we collectively view other cultures.

History should not be taught in terms of empires and military campaigns, but rather as cultures - and from a global perspective. Perhaps another generation will correct our educational deficiencies. Mine is incapable. Until then, I embrace BHM as an opportunity to be developed.

Thank you ST21 for your thoughtful perspective.[/QUOTE]

The greatest empires in history were not necessarily defined by military might. They were defined by contributions to human civilization. Greek Philosophy and the birth of Democracy, Roman Architecture, the Roman Catholic Church, England and Spain amongst other nations for exploring and the discovery of new lands, as well as the immense European contributions to the Arts; Newton & Galileo and countless other scientific discoveries, and the United States for the industrial revolution.

These are some of the most significant contributions to our society as we know it, and still influence our lives today. That's why we study them in school, not because of the lands they conquered.

Black history month is admirable, but not necessarily the best use of our time at school. The field of study should be blind to race. You should simply be studying the events and people that made the biggest contributions to human civilization. If you do that, you will end up studying a wide range of races, including blacks. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, and a host of others would surely be examined.