2008 Woodie Awards
Is it Black History Month or What?
Crystal McLean
Section: Opinion
News flash: February is not just about Valentine's Day, although that is the first thing that pops in most people's minds when February rolls around. February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month. It's a time when better educating yourself on the past should be more important than worrying about what gift to get your significant other.
Even a foreigner can tell you more about Valentine's Day before he can tell you anything about Black History Month. Some don't know what it is or have never heard about it. And most Americans couldn't tell you that the United Kingdom also celebrates Black History Month in October.
Black History Month is the only time in schools when the children are taught black history, and when it is talked about it is always about the same prominent black leaders: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. When names such as Crispus Attucks, Medgar Evers, Mae Jemison, and Henry Box Brown are mentioned, not many can tell you who they are. Though not a fact, if you ask ten people who is Box Brown eight out of the ten probably can't answer.
That is why Black History Month should be taken more seriously. That is why black history is necessary. It is necessary to emphasize black history outside what we are accustomed to in the classroom and in text books. Since the days of Carter G. Woodson when he established Negro History Week, people's awareness and knowledge of black history have progressed a great deal, but it could be better. There's still a need to have contact with the past that is full of amazing history.
It's black history month and it's hard to tell. You see more advertisements for Valentine's Day than for black history. Aside from the activities happening on campus there's hasn't been an abundance of activities happening throughout the Hampton Roads area. Take for instance Wal-Mart, one of the biggest retailers in the world. The only tribute to black history month they had in one of their stores was flyers with black history facts and a sign that read "Take one." The bad thing about it is most people just walked by the display.
Even a foreigner can tell you more about Valentine's Day before he can tell you anything about Black History Month. Some don't know what it is or have never heard about it. And most Americans couldn't tell you that the United Kingdom also celebrates Black History Month in October.
Black History Month is the only time in schools when the children are taught black history, and when it is talked about it is always about the same prominent black leaders: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. When names such as Crispus Attucks, Medgar Evers, Mae Jemison, and Henry Box Brown are mentioned, not many can tell you who they are. Though not a fact, if you ask ten people who is Box Brown eight out of the ten probably can't answer.
That is why Black History Month should be taken more seriously. That is why black history is necessary. It is necessary to emphasize black history outside what we are accustomed to in the classroom and in text books. Since the days of Carter G. Woodson when he established Negro History Week, people's awareness and knowledge of black history have progressed a great deal, but it could be better. There's still a need to have contact with the past that is full of amazing history.
It's black history month and it's hard to tell. You see more advertisements for Valentine's Day than for black history. Aside from the activities happening on campus there's hasn't been an abundance of activities happening throughout the Hampton Roads area. Take for instance Wal-Mart, one of the biggest retailers in the world. The only tribute to black history month they had in one of their stores was flyers with black history facts and a sign that read "Take one." The bad thing about it is most people just walked by the display.
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