Liberian Literary Magazine
Black History
Month, Random
thoughts
By D. Othniel Forte
February is designated as
black in the US and Canada
but where I come from, we
don’t have a Black History
Month, everyday month is
black history month. So when
asked what do I think about
the month, my approach is
somewhat different.
Instead of doing a historical
review [brief or in-depth],
justifying
the
continual
celebration or denouncing its
value in this age of selfawareness
and
selfconsciousness, I prefer to
consider some issues in the
black community.
For me, Black History
Month, should serve as an
opportunity
to
candidly
introspect.
Individuals,
community leaders, families,
etc., should address what is
BLACK in the first place. What
is the identity that they feel a
need
to
celebrate
or
denounce.
Frankly, at the risk of
oversimplification, I think one
month a year where black
figures, personalities, and
issues
are
highlighted
nationally, serves mostly to
appease folks that they are
making progress. It is a far too
simplistic ‘solution’ to the
major issues within the black
community.
We risk sending the message
that after the fifteen mites is
over, life should go back to
business as usual. This takes
away
from
the
fight,
especially for those that are
Promoting Liberian literature, Arts and Culture
making strives. During this
time, every community is
looking for the consolation
black person[s] to celebrate
with; to show their solidarity;
to appease; to justify their
‘non-racistness’. In as much
as there are genuine concerns
shown by man y, a good lot is
fake or automatic. This is one
of the biggest issues I have
with this. And if one month
will cause more harm than
good to the black issues, than
it is better we scarp it. my
intention is not to degrade or
unappreciated the many who
are
dedicated
to
the
improvement
of
the
community; not in the least.
If anything, it is to protect ad
support their efforts.
Our problems don’t go away
after February now do they?
They also don’t just appear
and
need
prime
time
consideration at the time
either. Granted, that the
national attention given to
black issues can be positive,
but my contention is that it is
only briefly.
If you’d note, I’m using
black, not African American.
This is an over-generalization
merely for simplicity. I am
aware that there are African
issues, African American
issues and people of color in
general issues. Some issues
cut across all segments whilst
others do not. But in this
month of celebration, when
folks are out for their
complementary black friend
or group, it doesn’t matter,
we are all one and the same.
Not only is it unfair, but it is
quite embarrassing having to
tell folks that this is an
African issue or an African
American issue that hardly
6
affect me. It is also a
promotion of a stereotype.
We effectively condone a
system that mixes every one
of
us,
regardless
of
education, religion,
sex.
Well, it’s that the same thing
our ancestors marched for? I
guess we should be happy that
America finally sees us all as
gangstas, or threats when we
are up close in dark or
secluded spaces right? I guess
it is fine when cops think that
every black kids make good
target practice?
Do you see where this is
going? The truth is, not every
white person is a racist; nor is
every cop out for target
practice. The problem is
complex- it is both systemic
and individual. The sad part
is, sometimes it may be too
late to determine which is
which.
For example, take a random
survey
of articles
and
programs related to the
celebration of this month.
You’d find that way too many
treat the month as a time to
address slavery-racial issues.
They talk about how blacks
were not free before and how
things have improved for us
now as compared to our
ancestors. Let us prick that
bubble some; I fail to see why
we should be celebrating as if
we were done a favor, when
franchise and segregation
were served.
Black
America
built
America. I fail to see why we
should be unduly jubilant
when our kids get few
scholarships to Yale when it
names buildings after known
slaver John C. Calhoun, whose
ill-gotten wealth found its
way there.