Schools and libraries throughout the country often celebrate February as Black History Month by inviting prominent black figures such as politicians, writers, entertainers, etc to speak publicly. To some this is both an honor and a problematic issue. After many years of only being asked to speak during February or getting turned down when asking to speak during a different month some speakers have begun to question the message this is sending.
Back in 2005, John Wiley Price (the only black county commissioner in Dallas) told the Associated Press that he no longer makes public appearances in February. Price said that he recently began to realize that “black people were visible during February, but the other 11 months of the year we became the invisible people.”
Writer Tayari Jones recently wrote an article for The Believer in which she describes her own experience during Black History Month. She writes that she feels fairly confident she would not have been asked to speak at many institutions if it were not during February.
Jones also points out that some writers have begun to test institutions by saying they have a scheduling conflict in February, but could speak March 1st. If the institutions agree to a different date, the writer then backtracks and agrees to the February date.
Though Tayari Jones reveals problems surrounding Black History Month invitations, she admits to having significant experiences while speaking during this month. Jones describes one February when she was able to connect with an audience member, “What matters is not so much why the people filled the room but rather what happened when we were all together.”
What do you think of the way some institutions tend to only invite black speakers during Black History Month?
I'm very torn with the Black History Month argument. Although i realize that giving it a month separates us from the rest of America, i do think that if there was no month, schools and textbooks would neglect teaching our kids about it. in most history textbooks there are only a couple chapters devoted to black advancement, all set around the civil rights movement. but after these specific historical events are over, it goes right back to neglecting to address the black struggle. so, i do think that we have to focus on black history all year long but i do feel that leaving the month in place would help emphasize the lessons that were never really focused on.
abartz::
on Jun 25, 2008
I agree with most of the posters on here. My school did not celebrate Black History month, but I still learned a lot about black history. I completely agree, Black History Month is making the race issue worse. We should be celebrating what brought us together, not perpetuating stereotypes. This is exactly what I thought we didn't want--separation.
asoutherner::
on Jul 18, 2008
During my elementary years, I was a minority white in a mostly African-American school. We often were taught about black leaders and inventors throughout the year, not just in February. To this day, George Washington Carver still stands out in my mind as a great inventor, who happened to be black. Did he stand out because he was black? No, it was for all of the creative ways he came up with to use peanuts. Can you imagine if he were around today? We may be driving peanut powered cars!
debi_123::
on Aug 22, 2008
Wow I never thought of this being a real issue of this sort you all have really brought another way of thinking to me. As such there also should be more thought of what has the African American brought this land of ours. So should there be thoughts of what all of the Americans changed in this great melting pot of ours. Such as the Hispanic American also dont you think? Is this in your ways of thinking also? As well the Germans have brought much to our land. As much as the Greek , and the Italian is this in your way of thinking , am I right? I am with you all if this is your thoughts .. Because I also see this.
