Black History: One Month isn't enough

Many African-Americans think that in Black History Month (BHM) being celebrations in February are some kind of conspiracy.

Many of those people think that BHM was "donated" as the month to focus on African- American accomplishments because it is the shortest month of the year?

Well contrary to the popular belief, BHM originated as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter Godwin Woodson. He selected this celebratory week in February in regards to

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas's both being born in this month. In 1976, Negro History Week officially became a month long celebration.

Has this month turned out to be the only time we focus on black history and the contributions of our African-American pioneers and leaders? Do we overdose on the achievements to succumb to its commitment byMarch 1?

"I'm not going to be, as the kids say 'pimped' during the month of February, only to become 'invisible' by months end," John Price told the Associated Press.

Price is the only black county commissioner of Dallas, Texas. He has vowed to no longermake any public appearances during February. He feels there is a continuing need for BHM that must go on beyond the month of February, and so do I.

By attending Winston-Salem State, a HBCU where black history is incorporated within the establishment and often surpasses our African-American culture classes.

Nonetheless, what about expanding our knowledge outside of WSSU?

Excluding BET from this equation, February is the only time we can turn on our TVs andsee "The Rosa Parks Story" on Lifetime television network, "The Vernon Johns Story" on WGN, or the story about Matthew Henson onthe history channel to name a few.

Are these historical triumphs not significantenough to be seen on our TVs outside the month of February? According to a February2005 article posted on tolerance.org by staffwriter Camille Jackson, "race relations havenever been easy in this country, and segregating black history to one month--when white history is the bedrock of American Academia all year long--adds insult to injury."

"In my own estimation, the mainstream majority of white Americans has tuned outfrom black folks--other than in entertainment," said Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, director of the African-American Studies program at the University of Alabama.

Shabazz also added that he has heard debates that BHM was originally designed as "internal group work" with the only purpose to make whites feel bad and uncomfortable.

"In order to diffuse it, the celebration hasbeen taken out of context, and has damaged its initial meaning, " he said.

BHM was originally designated to promote black pride.BHM derives from humble rootsand has expanded into a genuine culture of embracing African-Americans throughout February. To some degree, there is still a lackof knowledge about African-American traditionscontributions in areas such as language,ideas, food, education, and philosophy.Overall, February should not be the sunaround which black history revolves. It isimperative that black history message is carriedout the entire year."Rather than simply honor the principlesof Dr. King, for example, we should do whatwe can to live those principles," said KevinJohnson, professor and associate dean of theUC Davis Law School.

Having an on-going commitment to promotingeducation and cultural understanding is an act that must be carried out in Februaryand beyond.

African-Americans have made so many of our daily tasks more feasible, we must make a conscious effort that they are acknowledged more than 28 (or 29) days out of the year.

Be enthusiastic in your pursuit on acquiringnew knowledge about black history. Be relentless in uncovering rare facts about theenduring accomplishments of African-Americans.