Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 5:57:40 GMT -5
Actually it would be, "No, we're not less than...." That is a clear distinction to me. Does it seem subtle to you? Of course not, but that's not the only message I'd draw from it if I were in the minority. I'm in the minority of people who can't bend their ring fingers independently from their pinky fingers. Let us call this condition "four-fingeredness". What would I think of "Four-Fingered History Month", emphasizing the contributions of my fellow four-fingered persons? Firstly, I'd think that it had never occurred to me to strongly identify as four-fingered above identifying as Christian, Canadian, North American, conservative, etc., but that the world really does care more about whether I'm four-fingered than any of the above. Secondly, the very existence of "Four-Fingered History Month" would make me question exactly why it is that four-fingered people need a special month devoted to them when so many other visible minorities are subsumed by the 11-out-of-12 "normal" history months. Thirdly, most importantly, I'd question why the same people trying to make me feel like an integral part of society are lining up four-fingered role models for me to emulate, as though my four-fingeredness is the prime dictator of which role models I can/will pay attention to. In short, you may be trying to send the message "Four-fingeredness is really nothing to be ashamed of." but the message I'm taking away is "Virgil, you're four-fingered. You will always be four-fingered. It's important you recognize you're not five-fingered. But don't despair. Although you people don't matter enough that you'd naturally feature in history lessons, here are some four-fingered role models we dug up to emphasize the fact that some of you really are winners." It's not a bad message, per se. There's definitely some good in it. But it carries a lot of baggage. I don't really see that as a likely takeaway. One percent? Less? It's what I'd take away from it, as I've already pointed out. Somehow I doubt I'm so exceptional that only 1% of people would see it as I do.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 5:59:16 GMT -5
That's not really the point though. As was stated, the beginnings were 90 years ago. While there still exists a societal undercurrent of black inferiority in some places today, and certainly did 40 years ago when it was expanded to a month, I can't even imagine what it was like 90 years ago. How many great examples were there for black people to look up to then? More to the point, how many were well-known enough to serve as examples of how to break through white dominance and still excel, particularly in areas other than entertainment and sports? And how badly were these examples needed for the average black citizen who may not have believed they themselves could excel within the societal limitations? Again, I have never really paid attention to it, since it is not really relevant to me, but I am not going to assume that it is not important to someone with a different frame of reference than mine. I can certainly see how it could be. I disagree... it's exactly the point. Black people made important additions to history... so did Chinese people, and Korean people and Irish people... and yes... White people. Stop with the segregation. Make it simply "people". You know what the first step in the healing process is? STOP SCREWING WITH THE WOUND. That's all this "{insert race here} {insert cause/event here}" crap does... it keeps screwing with the wound. "Screwing with the wound" is as good a description of it as I can come up with.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 6:45:02 GMT -5
Angel, I thought that this was very honest discussion, several had comments, I would like to see more comments from TheHaitian and Pink Cashmere. No where did I see hate or much anger That is until I read your post. Reread post #42. Both Carl & Pink found it offensive. Both had enough self control to say nothing other than to point out that it was offensive. They didn't say anything directly, so I will. Robert used extremely offensive words, acknowledged that they could be offensive but said "so what". The "so what" is he is offending people, a lot. He is knowingly using racist terms, which actually makes it worse. If I'm wrong, then TheHaitian or @pinkcshmere, then feel free to correct me or PM me & I will change or remove my post. I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth if I am totally off base. But, I found the post out of line, so I can only imagine how you might feel. Angel! that's exactly what the problem was. Imo, Robert was being deliberately provocative. And there was a follow up to Carl, telling Carl to confront him if the post offended him and ending with "you may be smarter than me". Imo it was baiting. If either of us had explained what needed no explanation, what would have been next? Accusations of having thin-skin and being too sensitive and and a tangent about politically correct words and how stupid that all is, perhaps? It's always something. Sometimes on here I think it's wiser for me to let other posters point certain things out in the hopes that it won't be as easily dismissed as it might be if it came from me. So, thank you.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 7:03:09 GMT -5
Actually it would be, "No, we're not less than...." That is a clear distinction to me. Does it seem subtle to you? Of course not, but that's not the only message I'd draw from it if I were in the minority. I'm in the minority of people who can't bend their ring fingers independently from their pinky fingers. Let us call this condition "four-fingeredness". What would I think of "Four-Fingered History Month", emphasizing the contributions of my fellow four-fingered persons? Firstly, I'd think that it had never occurred to me to strongly identify as four-fingered above identifying as Christian, Canadian, North American, conservative, etc., but that the world really does care more about whether I'm four-fingered than any of the above. Secondly, the very existence of "Four-Fingered History Month" would make me question exactly why it is that four-fingered people need a special month devoted to them when so many other visible minorities are subsumed by the 11-out-of-12 "normal" history months. Thirdly, most importantly, I'd question why the same people trying to make me feel like an integral part of society are lining up four-fingered role models for me to emulate, as though my four-fingeredness is the prime dictator of which role models I can/will pay attention to. In short, you may be trying to send the message "Four-fingeredness is really nothing to be ashamed of." but the message I'm taking away is "Virgil, you're four-fingered. You will always be four-fingered. It's important you recognize you're not five-fingered. But don't despair. Although you people don't matter enough that you'd naturally feature in history lessons, here are some four-fingered role models we dug up to emphasize the fact that some of you really are winners." It's not a bad message, per se. There's definitely some good in it. But it carries a lot of baggage. I don't really see that as a likely takeaway. One percent? Less? It's what I'd take away from it, as I've already pointed out. Somehow I doubt I'm so exceptional that only 1% of people would see it as I do. People won't know you're four fingered unless they pay close attention to your hands. You can keep your hands in your pockets most of the time or wear gloves. I think you need to come up with something a little better for your analogy. I did make it throught the first few paragraphs though, so I'll say that it's next to impossible to not have "black" as a strong part of your identity because our society is so focused on it. Whether it's in a positive, negative, or neutral way, you're constantly reminded that you are indeed black.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 19, 2015 9:21:46 GMT -5
So, when are we going to have a woman's history month? We were chattel once, too. Could not own property, could be beaten, would lose our children if we were divorced. We belonged to our fathers, then our husbands, and sometimes then to our oldest son. This went on for centuries. Men could cheat, keep mistresses, women would be killed if they dared to and were caught. Some women succeeded in spite of it but still, black men got the vote WAY before any woman did. Men "gave" women the vote after subjecting them to brutal attacks and harassment too. Where's our justice or compensation?
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 9:43:25 GMT -5
Of course not, but that's not the only message I'd draw from it if I were in the minority. I'm in the minority of people who can't bend their ring fingers independently from their pinky fingers. Let us call this condition "four-fingeredness". What would I think of "Four-Fingered History Month", emphasizing the contributions of my fellow four-fingered persons? Firstly, I'd think that it had never occurred to me to strongly identify as four-fingered above identifying as Christian, Canadian, North American, conservative, etc., but that the world really does care more about whether I'm four-fingered than any of the above. Secondly, the very existence of "Four-Fingered History Month" would make me question exactly why it is that four-fingered people need a special month devoted to them when so many other visible minorities are subsumed by the 11-out-of-12 "normal" history months. Thirdly, most importantly, I'd question why the same people trying to make me feel like an integral part of society are lining up four-fingered role models for me to emulate, as though my four-fingeredness is the prime dictator of which role models I can/will pay attention to. In short, you may be trying to send the message "Four-fingeredness is really nothing to be ashamed of." but the message I'm taking away is "Virgil, you're four-fingered. You will always be four-fingered. It's important you recognize you're not five-fingered. But don't despair. Although you people don't matter enough that you'd naturally feature in history lessons, here are some four-fingered role models we dug up to emphasize the fact that some of you really are winners." It's not a bad message, per se. There's definitely some good in it. But it carries a lot of baggage. It's what I'd take away from it, as I've already pointed out. Somehow I doubt I'm so exceptional that only 1% of people would see it as I do. People won't know you're four fingered unless they pay close attention to your hands. You can keep your hands in your pockets most of the time or wear gloves. I think you need to come up with something a little better for your analogy. I did make it throught the first few paragraphs though, so I'll say that it's next to impossible to not have "black" as a strong part of your identity because our society is so focused on it. Whether it's in a positive, negative, or neutral way, you're constantly reminded that you are indeed black. And that's exactly what Richard, I, and others are saying that "Black History Month" perpetuates along with any good it does. It drives "You are black." like a railroad spike into kids' minds. "You are black. You should have black role models. You should look to the specific history of black people. You should emulate black people. Being black is who you are; it's your identity; it is separate from the identity of literally everyone else." We make "being black" into a tribal state of mind. Then a hundred competing interests beyond our control swarm in to define what "being black" means. Entertainers get a giant bite at the apple. Demagogues like Al Sharpton get a bite. Gangs get a bite. Police and law enforcement get a bite. Racists get a bite. We've struggled to include good black role models in the "being black" ideal, but by what factor are our efforts overwhelmed? 10-to-1? 100-to-1? We've succeeded in loading these kids onto a "black identity" wagon, and we have no control over where it's headed. Don't load them onto the wagon. Don't give them any more reason to let race define them. Far better to spend the monies raised for the promotion/execution of BHM on sending all kids in the poorest third of US schools to as many museums, science centers, factory tours, greenhouses, farms, game design studios, courthouses, etc. as possible. Coordinate the trips so that each one involves observing or (preferably) interacting with a few black people in their daily work environment. By so doing, in addition to kindling kids' interest in modern enterprise, we're showing them rather than telling them that blacks are just as capable as everyone else. More importantly, we're doing it in a way that doesn't bludgeon them with "black identity" like a two-by-four to the head.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 19, 2015 10:23:03 GMT -5
It doesn't mean their accomplishments to date should be dismissed either. The good thing about being alive is the two out of the three I mentioned can speak directly to and interest the youths of today. Not so much for Tesla, Einstein and especially Galileo Galilei! Where did I ever say they should be? Please feel free to point it out. "except for the fact that Tyson and Dean aren't dead yet... so their "life's accomplishments" can't actually be tabulated yet)." Why can't their current accomplishments be noted today? Someone does not have to be dead to note their accomplishments up to date. Why do we need a full body of work to admire and emulate someone? We didn't need Mother Theresa to be dead before we could admire and hopefully emulate her compassion for the poor and underpriviledged, her "life accomplishments". We could and did admire her while she was still alive. That is how I took your quoted passage.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Apr 19, 2015 10:33:16 GMT -5
People won't know you're four fingered unless they pay close attention to your hands. You can keep your hands in your pockets most of the time or wear gloves. I think you need to come up with something a little better for your analogy. I did make it throught the first few paragraphs though, so I'll say that it's next to impossible to not have "black" as a strong part of your identity because our society is so focused on it. Whether it's in a positive, negative, or neutral way, you're constantly reminded that you are indeed black. And that's exactly what Richard, I, and others are saying that "Black History Month" perpetuates along with any good it does. It drives "You are black." like a railroad spike into kids' minds. You think it isn't there already? It first came up with us when my youngest was 4. I don't know what happened at school, but he came home talking about how mom is white and dad is black. I had never said anything about that to them ever, but it just comes up in life. I don't remember why, but I've since had a conversation with him regarding slavery and the way things used to be. He has learned about Obama in school and we've had discussions on why it was a big deal when Obama became president. Heck, just a few years ago the first black coach won the super bowl and that was a big deal to a lot of people. All this stuff comes up in life and especially learning about history. You can pretend it's the same as having 4 fingers, but people with 4 fingers were never put into slavery, discriminated against, or segregated. So not really a good analogy at all.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 10:40:13 GMT -5
And that's exactly what Richard, I, and others are saying that "Black History Month" perpetuates along with any good it does. It drives "You are black." like a railroad spike into kids' minds. You think it isn't there already? It first came up with us when my youngest was 4. I don't know what happened at school, but he came home talking about how mom is white and dad is black. I had never said anything about that to them ever, but it just comes up in life. I don't remember why, but I've since had a conversation with him regarding slavery and the way things used to be. He has learned about Obama in school and we've had discussions on why it was a big deal when Obama became president. Heck, just a few years ago the first black coach won the super bowl and that was a big deal to a lot of people. All this stuff comes up in life and especially learning about history. You can pretend it's the same as having 4 fingers, but people with 4 fingers were never put into slavery, discriminated against, or segregated. So not really a good analogy at all. Of course black kids notice they're black. I'm saying that they don't need us (along with everybody else) teaching them that slavery, discrimination, segregation, and, more generally, "being black", are an integral part of their identity. We want to dissociate kids as much as possible from the notion that race defines them. If we don't do that, there's absolutely no way "black history month" is going to win the war on defining what "black identity" means. That's my grievance with it.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 19, 2015 10:52:17 GMT -5
For some people, color gets needlessly driven into them pretty early.
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Post by weltschmerz on Apr 19, 2015 11:13:38 GMT -5
So, when are we going to have a woman's history month? We were chattel once, too. Could not own property, could be beaten, would lose our children if we were divorced. We belonged to our fathers, then our husbands, and sometimes then to our oldest son. This went on for centuries. Men could cheat, keep mistresses, women would be killed if they dared to and were caught. Some women succeeded in spite of it but still, black men got the vote WAY before any woman did. Men "gave" women the vote after subjecting them to brutal attacks and harassment too. Where's our justice or compensation? March is Womens' History Month. Furthermore, men didn't GIVE us the vote. We clawed and fought to take it, in spite of the men who didn't want us to have it. Are you not familiar with the Suffragette Movement, where women employed civil disobedience, picketed and were imprisoned? Nobody handed us the vote on a silver platter.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_History_Month
forumro.org/2013/01/women-who-fought-for-the-right-to-vote/
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Apr 19, 2015 11:16:08 GMT -5
You think it isn't there already? It first came up with us when my youngest was 4. I don't know what happened at school, but he came home talking about how mom is white and dad is black. I had never said anything about that to them ever, but it just comes up in life. I don't remember why, but I've since had a conversation with him regarding slavery and the way things used to be. He has learned about Obama in school and we've had discussions on why it was a big deal when Obama became president. Heck, just a few years ago the first black coach won the super bowl and that was a big deal to a lot of people. All this stuff comes up in life and especially learning about history. You can pretend it's the same as having 4 fingers, but people with 4 fingers were never put into slavery, discriminated against, or segregated. So not really a good analogy at all. Of course black kids notice they're black. I'm saying that they don't need us (along with everybody else) teaching them that slavery, discrimination, segregation, and, more generally, "being black", are an integral part of their identity. We want to dissociate kids as much as possible from the notion that race defines them. If we don't do that, there's absolutely no way "black history month" is going to win the war on defining what "black identity" means. That's my grievance with it. All I'm saying that as a white person that has never been a minority, I don't really think you can be a judge of what it means to grow up black. And I don't think you can really judge whether black history month reinforces this idea that race matters or if it helps kids break through the negative stereotypes that are seen everyday. It is really easy to say race shouldn't matter when you're in the majority. I think it should be up to the black community, if they want to continue the tradition of black history month and feel it is positive, then it should continue.
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Post by weltschmerz on Apr 19, 2015 11:27:48 GMT -5
It's interesting that white people are saying Black History Month isn't needed, that people are people. Walk a mile in a black person's shoes, first. They face challenges that we don't. Asking them to emulate a white person who came from privilege isn't going to cut it. They can't identify with them, despite "people being people." Give them black role models who struggled and overcame poverty and discrimination against all odds.. Show them what can be accomplished and let them know that they can do it, too. If you want girls to succeed, you give them female role models...astronauts and scientists. You had to let them know they didn't have to become secretaries, flight attendants and nurses. They could be CEOs, pilots and doctors.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 19, 2015 11:44:19 GMT -5
So, when are we going to have a woman's history month? We were chattel once, too. Could not own property, could be beaten, would lose our children if we were divorced. We belonged to our fathers, then our husbands, and sometimes then to our oldest son. This went on for centuries. Men could cheat, keep mistresses, women would be killed if they dared to and were caught. Some women succeeded in spite of it but still, black men got the vote WAY before any woman did. Men "gave" women the vote after subjecting them to brutal attacks and harassment too. Where's our justice or compensation? March is Womens' History Month. Furthermore, men didn't GIVE us the vote. We clawed and fought to take it, in spite of the men who didn't want us to have it. Are you not familiar with the Suffragette Movement, where women employed civil disobedience, picketed and were imprisoned? Nobody handed us the vote on a silver platter.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_History_Month
forumro.org/2013/01/women-who-fought-for-the-right-to-vote/
Really? Never heard of it. It certainly isn't broadcast and celebrated. I'm aware of how women were abused in trying to get the vote. Fact is, men finally gave it to them since they couldn't vote to get it themselves. Btw, I forgot to mention dowry given with brides, so basically selling them to their husbands.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 19, 2015 11:47:07 GMT -5
I find the women and minorities who manage to succeed in spite of their families best efforts in keeping them "down" in conditions that a normal parent would want their child/children to never experience, pay a huge price for succeeding.
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 19, 2015 11:49:26 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 11:57:28 GMT -5
I think if black people feel Black History Month is beneficial it should continue. Maybe we should ask them if they think it is beneficial before we dismiss it as not beneficial.
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Post by billisonboard on Apr 19, 2015 12:47:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 13:02:55 GMT -5
You think it isn't there already? It first came up with us when my youngest was 4. I don't know what happened at school, but he came home talking about how mom is white and dad is black. I had never said anything about that to them ever, but it just comes up in life. I don't remember why, but I've since had a conversation with him regarding slavery and the way things used to be. He has learned about Obama in school and we've had discussions on why it was a big deal when Obama became president. Heck, just a few years ago the first black coach won the super bowl and that was a big deal to a lot of people. All this stuff comes up in life and especially learning about history. You can pretend it's the same as having 4 fingers, but people with 4 fingers were never put into slavery, discriminated against, or segregated. So not really a good analogy at all. Of course black kids notice they're black. I'm sure kids know what they look like because they look in the mirror. They don't learn that how they look means one thing or another until someone teaches it to them. I'm saying that they don't need us (along with everybody else) teaching them that slavery, discrimination, segregation, and, more generally, "being black", are an integral part of their identity. We want to dissociate kids as much as possible from the notion that race defines them. I want that also. But wanting it doesn't make it true until other people get over that notion. If we don't do that, there's absolutely no way "black history month" is going to win the war on defining what "black identity" means. Black History Month is one month out of the year. Conversations about black people, about being black in America, about history..... Ignorant people showing their ignorance....... all of that happens year round. I don't think the point of that one month is to win a war on defining what black identity is anyway. That's my grievance with it. When you're the only black child where you live and a white child tells you they can't play with you because their parents told them not to play with black children, you kind of remember that. When you're a child and you go on a church trip to Florida and people on the beach are throwing ice on your church members and calling them n_____s, you kind of remember that. And you start to understand that your skin color still matters to OTHER people. And when you're in your 30's, out with your children and a woman at a state fair thinks it's ok to yell that same word at you, you know it still matters to OTHER people. My children were born in the early 90's and they've witnessed their Mom get called a n_____. Crazy, huh? How could you live your life in a world like that, and "black" not become a part of your identity? You don't have to internalize it as a good or bad thing, but you recognize that some people can't even see you, they only see your brown skin and for them, that IS your identity and all they need to know about you. Maybe Black History Month isn't just for black folks, there seem to be a lot of other people that could stand to learn a thing or two so they can get past this skin color thing. I've been back and forth between Mississippi and Tennessee all my life. There are a lot of good people in both states, but there is no way in hell you can grow up and live in this area and pretend that nobody notices or cares that you're black.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 13:06:39 GMT -5
She gives two good reasons against BHM, and her sole contention for supporting it is Enter Black History Month. This year, the Wikipedia Foundation has partnered with institutions such as Washington's Howard University to ensure that black people have a history, Wikipedia style. And, last Thursday night, a faculty-student team gathered in Howard's Moorland-Spingarn Library to create some of those missing entries. Hence: some new Wikipedia entries. Which required BHM to complete, for some reason.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 13:13:21 GMT -5
@pinkcshmere: In a world where kids are bombarded with the message that black kids are black and white kids are white, black kids are one way and white kids are another, why are we set on teaching history in a way that conforms to this stark segregation?
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Post by billisonboard on Apr 19, 2015 13:15:50 GMT -5
@pinkcshmere: In a world where kids are bombarded with the message that black kids are black and white kids are white, black kids are one way and white kids are another, why are we set on teaching history in a way that conforms to this stark segregation? If history were taught that way, I would agree. But it isn't.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 13:25:25 GMT -5
I think if black people feel Black History Month is beneficial it should continue. Maybe we should ask them if they think it is beneficial before we dismiss it as not beneficial. By all means, if anyone here has found BHM to be personally beneficial to them, let us know. Conversely, if anyone here has found that it contributes to their perceptions that blacks and black history aren't really integral to America, let us know.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Apr 19, 2015 13:27:06 GMT -5
@pinkcshmere: In a world where kids are bombarded with the message that black kids are black and white kids are white, black kids are one way and white kids are another, why are we set on teaching history in a way that conforms to this stark segregation? If history were taught that way, I would agree. But it isn't. Do you mean if "normal history" included more of the history of black people?
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Post by Opti on Apr 19, 2015 13:35:10 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 14:13:35 GMT -5
It's been a long time since I've been in school. But I seem to recall that American history is taught from a certain viewpoint. The Native Americans that were here first are mentioned, because they posed a problem for the settlers, so they're part of the story. Slavery was crucial to the success of landowners in the south but then people decided it was wrong and all of that was a big deal, so it gets mentioned as part of the story. Then people started fighting about whether or not all Americans should have equal rights under the law, so that's part of the story too.
When history is shared from the majority's viewpoint, most of what's told is told if and in relation to how it affected the majority. Native Americans, white people and black people all had important roles in our country's history. But unless you specifically study Native American History or African American history, you're taught mostly White American history.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 14:18:26 GMT -5
Of course black kids notice they're black. I'm sure kids know what they look like because they look in the mirror. They don't learn that how they look means one thing or another until someone teaches it to them. I'm saying that they don't need us (along with everybody else) teaching them that slavery, discrimination, segregation, and, more generally, "being black", are an integral part of their identity. We want to dissociate kids as much as possible from the notion that race defines them. I want that also. But wanting it doesn't make it true until other people get over that notion. If we don't do that, there's absolutely no way "black history month" is going to win the war on defining what "black identity" means. Black History Month is one month out of the year. Conversations about black people, about being black in America, about history..... Ignorant people showing their ignorance....... all of that happens year round. I don't think the point of that one month is to win a war on defining what black identity is anyway. That's my grievance with it. When you're the only black child where you live and a white child tells you they can't play with you because their parents told them not to play with black children, you kind of remember that. When you're a child and you go on a church trip to Florida and people on the beach are throwing ice on your church members and calling them n_____s, you kind of remember that. And you start to understand that your skin color still matters to OTHER people. And when you're in your 30's, out with your children and a woman at a state fair thinks it's ok to yell that same word at you, you know it still matters to OTHER people. My children were born in the early 90's and they've witnessed their Mom get called a n_____. Crazy, huh? How could you live your life in a world like that, and "black" not become a part of your identity? You don't have to internalize it as a good or bad thing, but you recognize that some people can't even see you, they only see your brown skin and for them, that IS your identity and all they need to know about you. Maybe Black History Month isn't just for black folks, there seem to be a lot of other people that could stand to learn a thing or two so they can get past this skin color thing. I've been back and forth between Mississippi and Tennessee all my life. There are a lot of good people in both states, but there is no way in hell you can grow up and live in this area and pretend that nobody notices or cares that you're black. Uhh. This makes me rethink my plans of moving south when I retire .
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 19, 2015 14:28:16 GMT -5
I have only just read this thread and maybe I'm wrong, not having grown up in this country, but from where I sit BHM is important for people of all races. It is not just about "I should be proud of my black heritage" but it is also "we should not dismiss people because their ancestors are from Africa". People of any heritage have "produced" great minds, humanitarians, artists, etc. And all white kids need to learn that too, especially those that live in an environment that wants to dismiss the accomplishments of those that do not look like them.
So long story short: this thread has proven, if nothing else, that yes we do still need a BHM for the good of all of us. The day we don't have discussions like this anymore may be the day we can do away with BHM.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Apr 19, 2015 14:50:16 GMT -5
I think if black people feel Black History Month is beneficial it should continue. Maybe we should ask them if they think it is beneficial before we dismiss it as not beneficial. By all means, if anyone here has found BHM to be personally beneficial to them, let us know. Conversely, if anyone here has found that it contributes to their perceptions that blacks and black history aren't really integral to America, let us know. I grew up in a time and place that BHM was not a part of my educational experience. I grew up in a place where people of color were not a part of my everyday experience. I grew up in a relatively passive world of racism. I was limited to seeing people of color as either rioters on television or the rare character on network shows. I vaguely remember history books with people of color in little boxes on the sides of a few pages. I still struggle with seeing only a world of whites with people of color only in the margins. Would I have benefited from a well taught extended program of why and how they were marginalized and the contributions they made in spite of it? I believe I would have.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Apr 19, 2015 15:22:18 GMT -5
I think history should be taught thematically rather than chronologically anyway. Black History Month flows well into that style.
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