Now, don’t get mad at me, I didn’t coin that phrase. I do believe (and forgive me if I am wrong) that the woman who originated that phrase was Julianne Malveaux, way, waaay back in the ‘90s (and apparently, she aint the only one who thinks that. Check this out: "...Just as the institutionalization of Black History Month has produced what painter Emma Amos has described as 'ghetto-month shows' that fulfill the funding needs of the white institutions...". (Interesting factoid: The weekend that particular show aired, I ran into Malveaux - or her look alike- at the movies! I looked at her, pointed and laughed and said “Ghetto Month!” She smiled and laughed too. But back to the story…). I’m using it here because I hate, nay, LOATHE Black History Month.
How did I know it was Black History Month? Well, the advertisement is everywhere. Its on the television, the radio, and also in print. Take, for example, all the various community newspapers, like The Washington Posts' weekend section, and the Washington City Paper. Yesterday, I was reading the Posts “neighborhood news” section that comes out every Thursday, and I swear to you, there was AT LEAST ONE “Black history” thing going on EVERY DAY for the NEXT SEVEN DAYS! And it’s going to be this way ALL MONTH LONG!
As a professional historian, I don’t like these specially designated “months”: Women’s history, Black history, Hispanic history, etc, I don’t think we should just limit the exploration of any one culture to just one month. And yet, we do! And everyone does it! Schools, private companies, the media; we cant escape being inundated with information on whatever particular culture thats being honored that month.
As a historian, I prefer a more ”inclusionary” (yeah I made that word up) look at history, whether it be American, Caribbean & Latin American, economic or military history, lets look at the various events within those categories as it pertains to ALL INVOLVED, not just “Black economic history” or “Blacks in the military.” I come up against this in the Smith College Club of Washington’s Book Club. They decide to read about “Black stuff” in February. When I go to the meetings, I try to plead my case for a more inclusive reading schedule, but I get shot down.
It was Carter G. Woodson's “Negro History Week” that started this whole mess. I think that since we’re following the words and deeds of Carter G. Woodson, we should consider these:
We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.
- Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) on founding Negro History Week, 1926
I whole-heartedly agree.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
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12 comments:
I want to apologize now for any typos that might appear in this post. Bloggers acting up. Thanks!
L
HA!
thank you sister for your thoughts and i know i was to see this.
i also feel the same way. as an art educator (one hat) i always hated it when at the beginning of dec. and through a few weeks of jan. all these people would pop up to ask what were 'WE' doing for bhm...???
i went along with it for the first few years of teaching-and being an artist-exhibiting my own work.
but one time i was asked to 'show' my art work during bhm for one of their displays of us...i kindly asked, well, what about march or april for my work to be shown, i'm kinda book up for feb.?
the phone was silent! she hammered and ahhhhed for the longest.. i then told her,
well i'll still be black in march and april, isn't that the point?
LOLOLOLO well i guess you know i never heard from that gallery again. LOL
thanks for the post and the memories of why we do not really participate in bhm events. we teach our girls about 'ERBODY' all year long!
@Wisdom
Girl, I used to work in museums, and we'd be so.damned.busy. in February, and virtually ignored the rest of the year! America really needs to rethink this.
L
I'm of two minds about this, Lola. You're absolutely right that the "ghetto month" aspect grates on the nerves. (Like PBS hyping its new Skip Gates special, "African American Lives 2." Which looks like it's gonna be great, by the way.)
But I feel a need to honor Carter G. Woodson for almost single-handedly legitimizing the study of "the Negro in history." I think if one takes a subversive, left-field approach, Black History Month need not be corny... need not be like taking medicine... need not be a ritual of political correctness.
Let's dust off some of the forgotten stories, the forgotten people, and have fun with this thing!
@Undercover Black Man
I appreciate where youre coming from. Yes, I do believe that BHM would be more palatable (sp) if we (schools, museums, cultural institutions, the media, etc) decided to "step outside the box" and do other things besides the same ole, same ole.
BUT (you knew that was coming)why cant we do this all year round? Why cant we learn about Black/womens/Latino/Gay history WHEN IT HAPPENS, not set aside?? Im just sayin.
Apparently I need to check out my local PBS programming schedule, cause it seems like theyre really doing something!
L
now i will admit the NEED for inclusion in the teaching within schools.
and i remembered an article that camille cosby wrote i think in usatoday, years ago, basically saying, she disliked the fact that we still even need a bhm. so true.
if it is changed to bring in the lives that are mostly oral histories, or not even known about..it would be a great change.
but it seems that the fight to increase inclusion histories within schools dropped by the wayside in order to fight for more funding for feb. bhm events.in this part of america it feels this way.
i always live by this faith, do what we can and leave the rest up to God.
Lola, I agree with you totally. Soon, sigh, we'll have a Mexican History Month, too, based on the population trends. Not saying that's a bad thing, but the point is shouldn't we celebrate each other every day?
Actually Mr. Woodson's approach was that eventually it would be incorporated into the regular elementary to high school curriculum. as slow as it's going, it did go from one week, to two weeks to a month. that's progress right?
while I agree with you on the idea that there should just be history (a la Howard Zinn), people are just worried about how messed up our public school system is.
I will say that before "integration" most black run schools taught black history as part of the curriculum while white schools did not.
PBS always has the best and most insightful materials. And I love them because they even air these specials outside of designated months.
Back to the subject at hand:
I don't know if i would go as far as to label it Ghetto history month. Afterall, although I attended a black elementary school that emphasises black history all year long, I must admit that there was some knowledge gained from outside events commemorating the month. I would agree that it annoys me and the adverts are getting a bit ridiculous.
I must also agree with you. I beleive the study of history should be inclusive. I can claim interest in every culture and any historical event put forth before me. On the other hand, what I fear is that the push for the inclusion and the abolishment of black history, women's history, etc. months will have the opposite impact than we seek. I do believe in the conspiracy of the man and I fear returning to the days when none of our history was respected. hell, they are barely respected now, even when there is a month dedicated. Its a tough one. I just wouldn't want to give up having kids force-fed (i know it has a negative connotation but I mean it to indicate that many people would much rather have their children not know these (his) stories) different histories than live in ignorace.
Perhaps if every month was disignated for a different group, we could use it as means to have alternative voices heard year round, until those alternative voices become staples of our learning of each other's stories!
i could go the whole month and forget its black history month now. back in the day i was all into it cause it was the month with the best college jams but now its like whatever.
i completely agree with your take on history
ps: havent seen how she move but the ads make it look nice and it was filmed up here in one of the rougher neighbourhoods i think
I hate token gestures. Enough said!
Black history is an ongoing process, not just a celebration of past figures for one month. Woodson's hope was to show the contributions to black folk to society overall and inspire black youth. The history books in schools, and outside Afro American studies courses in college, tend to gloss over contributions by folks of African descent.
Does Black History Month correct this injustice. No. It is just a salve for a liberal conscious.
A black parent, any parent, and a teacher wanting to open the door to diversity for their kid(s) should just take matters into their own hands by reading the history of different folks traditionally covered very little in lower education textbooks and etc.
Black History should be the product of a bygone era.
If we as a people had more respect for and control of our history, it wouldnt matter when or if there was a Black History Month because we would always be acknowledging our history.
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