Black
history needs more year-long awareness
Starr
T. Balmer
Every
year the month of February is dedicated
to learning about black history and the
contributions and obstacles African-Americans
made to the country.
Elementary schools, colleges and cities across the country organize plays,
fairs and parades to express the African-American culture and highlight remarkable
individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks who changed the lives
of not only African-Americans, but America as a whole. Many networks show clips
of African-Americans who have contributed to history.
But some people think differently about Black History Month. An online opinion
article, “Locals say Black History Month still serves vital purpose,” said
actor Morgan Freeman said he did not want a Black History Month and found it
ridiculous. In that article, a professor said she understands Freeman’s
point of view, but said, “Young people want to know more about black
history. They seek out that information.”
However, young people should not just learn about black history during Black
History Month. It should be learned throughout the year. Keeping Black History
Month would be best, but teaching our experiences, our struggles and our contributions
cannot be narrowed down to one month.
That professor, who teaches African-American literature and major African-American
writers, said most of her students are young, white women who desire to become
teachers and “they want to know why they haven’t heard this information
before.”
Why should college students who plan to teach, possibly some sort of history,
just start learning about black history? A Nigeria native who was also quoted
in the article said, “The more people know, the more tolerant they might
become.” As people learn about the history of African-Americans, they
become more aware of how African-Americans helped with the development of the
country.
If black history is incorporated in history classes throughout the year, students
will have a better understanding of African-American culture and contributions.
But, negative images of African-Americans are constantly portrayed on television,
magazines and newspapers, which falsely teach African-American culture. Too
many images on television are teaching young people the wrong message and not
enough people are teaching important history.
So, in some aspects, if black history were taught in schools throughout the
year, maybe Freeman would not have been disgusted with how African-American
history is presented. If black history were taught in schools throughout the
year, plays, parades and fairs would not be organized and put on for only a
month. If black history were taught in schools throughout the year, those white
women who want to teach would have more knowledge of African-American culture
and history.
Starr T. Balmer is a senior journalism major and the city editor of the
Daily Forty-Niner. |
