There seems to be a lot of discussion over whether it's even relevant to celebrate Black History Month in February anymore. In fact, in a Google search on the topic, what you'll mostly find is curriculum instruction for K-12 teachers. No long-sweeping essays on the subject from passionate black leaders or buzz about Black History programming during sweeps...oh, aside from Diddy representin in the ABC production of Raisin in the Sun. And even in the article I read about it in USA Today, the stars of the drama are pitching it in interviews saying, "this family could be any race."
Are our kids really the only Americans learning about Black History? Why doesn't the mainstream media care anymore? Is it because we're "transcending" race the way Barack Obama has supposedly done in his campaign for president?
It seems that we, as a nation, are toiling in confusion over whether we want race to be an issue, in terms of equality and justice, or if we'd rather it became a non-issue, demonstrating our progressive-minded color blindness. Which path leads us closer to the "dream" Dr. King spoke of so many years ago?
I'm not here to answer that question. I'll just point to a blurb from a blog I came across written by a Philadelphia pastor who raises the same questions.
Studying and reflecting on black history along with the history of other ethnic groups will teach us of the lengths African-Americans and others took to be viewed as full Americans by this country. Each invention, work of art, scientific discovery, foray into politics, activity in foreign wars and act of athleticism was a way of shouting to our nation that though we were brought here against our will, it was not our will to remain separate or segregated from this country. Knowing this could prove quite beneficial to those Americans who question or wonder what place African-Americans have played and can play in the building and progress of this country. It could also help them to see that black history did not begin and end with slavery. Additionally it will teach them to see that America is what it is because of the valuable contributions of those who came here via slave ships and immigrant ships. Knowing this can help us to view those who are here as potential assets and not liabilities.
I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments. And if you would like a daily dose of Black History, the blog Stereohyped features a new, relevant post everyday. And it's just a cool blog you should read all the rest of the year, too.
2. Is Nas a marketing genius or just asking for backlash?
Nas and his wife, Kelis, were all over the red carpet at the Grammys hyping his new project, a CD he announced in October that would be titled, "N____r." Back in October, when the controversy started, Rolling Stone covered the backlash...
50 Cent has joined the Al Sharpton-led caravan protesting Nas’ new controversial album title. “Nas sucks,” 50 told MTV, “It’s nonsense, man. That’s a stupid name. It doesn’t make sense. Why would you title it that?” Because Get Rich or Die Tryin’ promotes racial equality.
and here's a clip of him last Sunday with a visibly uncomfortable CNN reporter.
I think it's pretty cheeky. He's calling out people in the media who use racial slurs (aka Imus and the Bounty Hunter and probably Kramer) and get away with it. If people are going to defend their right to use the word (because there are people who have) then why should they feel uncomfortable using the word when referring to his new album? It seems to me, he's putting the issue on the table and forcing people to come to terms with how they feel about that word. AND, he's using this inevitable "conversation" to sell records. Hey, whatever works.
But, he did push back the release date and decided putting the album out during Black History Month might be in bad taste. Wait, what?
3. Reality shows are probably the only place black models are fairly represented. Thanks, Tyra.
Jezebel has covered this topic extensively, making it a huge focus of their Fashion Week news. According to their research, "out of 66 shows at the in the Bryant Park tents, 18 designers had no black models." They even made pie charts!
4. One of my favorite moments in Black History.
(NSFW sound)
The Def Poetry Jam is just, hands down, one of the best platforms for artists of color to get their message out. But where did it go?
5. My favorite heroine of Black History.
In my first years of college, I took a U.S. History course and fell in love with everything I read about the Harlem Renaissance. A strange connection was formed and it continues to be the time in history I would travel to given the chance. I was so enthralled with the personalities I encountered in my studies, I decided to do my final presentation on the life of one of them...Ms. A'Lelia Walker.
She was the daughter of a successful African-American businesswoman named Madame C.J. Walker. The elder Ms. Walker made her fortune in Black hair care products and brought her empire to Harlem in the early 1900s. In the 20s, A'Lelia became a major player in the Harlem Renaissance, hosting parties at her mansion she dubbed "The Dark Tower." On the walls, she had the words to Langston Hughes' poem, "The Weary Blues," written in cursive. She entertained a mixed crowd of guests, and in one legendary story, she had a party where she put the white guests in one room where they dined on chittlins and pigs feet...and the black guests in another room where they had champagne and caviar. Talk about cheeky...
She went on to make many, many financial contributions to the arts and literature community in Harlem. And the Dark Tower is now a National Historic Landmark.
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