The Last Days of Black History
This could be the last year we celebrate Black History Month.
There. I said it.
According to The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Black History month was the brain child of Carter G. Woodson who sought to broadly promote the knowledge of Negro history that he and other historians were uncovering in the early 1900’s. February was a logical choice as the Black community was already commemorating several significant historical mile markers in the second month of the year:
February 12th, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday
February 14th, Frederick Douglass’ birthday
Aptly stated:
“Woodson believed that history was made by the people, not simply or primarily by great men. He envisioned the study and celebration of the Negro as a race, not simply as the producers of a great man. And Lincoln, however great, had not freed the slaves—the Union Army, including hundreds of thousands of black soldiers and sailors, had done that. Rather than focusing on two men, the black community, he believed, should focus on the countless black men and women who had contributed to the advance of human civilization.”
Id.
Black history is, of course, American history - granted the rare opportunity to be told from the perspective of the remnant that, somehow, persevered despite the atrocities designed to eradicate them.
Told from the voice of those the government repeatedly muzzles. Don’t take my word for it: presently, more than half of the U.S. has, or is attempting to enact, some form of anti-Critical Race Theory legislation. As though, in a world where there is nothing new under the Sun, Black America secretly infiltrated the Department of Education and contrived a means of unspooling the very fabric of the American ethos.
History shows a pattern of mistreatment and marginalization integrated throughout innumerable aspects of American culture. So, stop talking about history. To be fair, maybe accountability is a threat to the way the American ethos is applied to marginalized groups, despite what an idealistic view of America claims. Thus, I have every reason to believe that soon we will see legislation aimed at removing Black History Month from our societal memory altogether.
Ever since the celebration of Black History Month became widespread, the forces of White supremacy have been looking for ways to bury its history.
Every year, I begin Black History Month with an impossible goal: to use my platform to endear White America to the rich history of Black culture despite stark opposition to it.
As though I can educate people into love. And every year, we inevitably re-litigate questions like “wHy iSn’T tHeRe a wHiTe hIsTorY mOnTh?”. So, within 10 days (or less) I find myself burnt out by the monumental task set before me - arms spent from swimming against the tide. Too discouraged to continue educating. Watching the days of the shortest month quickly slip away.
So many other Black Americans find themselves in the same position. We continue to show up. Yet we’re weary. Black voices aren’t hard to find. If you’re looking, you can find them in every facet of society. You’ll know your view is too myopic if the only places you are seeing (or listening to) us is as actors, musicians, or Fox News.
As for me, year-round, I speak on the things I believe matter most: calling God’s people to display the radical, comprehensive love of Christ at the intersection of faith, race, & Justice. I needn’t be the only voice in the room (Black or White) - yet, often feel as though I am.
If you have any interest in celebrating Black History Month, it behooves me to tell you that I, and the 46.8 million other Black folks living in the United States are Black history.
You needn’t wait for our individual (or collective) demise to reflect on the value to our foresight. No monuments need be erected 50 years hence to commemorate the contributions of those doing the work right now. The best thing that you can do celebrate Black History is listen to these 46.8 million Black lives screaming “I matter” today. And then, affirm them. Elevate them. Act. Don’t allow us to be the only ones publicly confronting the ever-declining status quo. Rather, be transformed by the renewing of your minds.
The Fierce Urgency of Now
Conversely, if it wasn’t already clear, I need you to understand that if you are an adult w/ an I.Q. Of at least 60, & you’ve ever used “woke” or “CRT” as a pejorative, well, you’re dead to me. You have the capacity to learn. No one needs to do it for you. There’s nothing to debate. No more conversations need be had. You have the moral responsibility to push back against the newest iterations of white supremacy. No one should have to call you to arms or cajole you to be be louder. You have made your choice. Our Union doesn’t have time to await your awakening. And so, I gather the “woke” with hopes of holding America to the promises it made to all of humanity.
That’s just how I feel about it. Tell me why I’m wrong. I’m not wrong; but tell me anyway.