black history month

black history month (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid

Message

tangldupinblue -> black history month (2/19/2007 1:12:15 PM)
ok so before i ask this question..i will state that this is only a question that i was asked by one of my kids. i dont want or mean to upset or offend anyone. so why is ok to have black history month and not a white history month? blue

topcat -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:23:15 PM)
Dear Blue- Well, it can be fairly stated that the history of the USA reads rather as a history of white men, so some balance is called for. We are a nation of all creeds, of all colors, but often, our historys misses the vital contributions of many, often, to be fair, simply by playing a numbers game. But the truly great american stories are those of people who rose above the herd in spite of a disadvantaged begining, often based simply on the color of their skin. This month gives us a chance to consider their stories, and celebrate their victories in building our nation. Stay Warm, Lawrence

bludemonn -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:25:28 PM)
It isnt, i live in one of the most ethnicly diverse areas in the world and as a white english male am i really really in the minority , i grown up with all different races and i dont see the colour as an issue but deffo the culture, it would be nice for people not to one minute shout about being called black then go and promote things like the MOBO's and black history month, anyways i thought it was african american other there? just cos you are black you have history? Maybe Bush will go and find the country of blackia and bomb it! Seriousley the term 'racist' is more used by 'people of colour' who dont get what they want and left wingers who encourage it, sort of agitate and just when things were going well some idiot goes and brings up 'black history month', you cant get more anger stirring than that! This wil perpetuate the memberships of KKK and the BNP in the UK, these race relations people really just font get it do they. anyways just my thoughts

cjenny -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:25:31 PM)
Ah I had a witty and oh so intelligent response to this. But the thread shifted while I was typing and now all is lost. Black History Month is great for retailers.

agirl -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:27:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: tangldupinblue ok so before i ask this question..i will state that this is only a question that i was asked by one of my kids. i dont want or mean to upset or offend anyone. so why is ok to have black history month and not a white history month? blue *Who's holding the black history month?*

topcat -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:31:36 PM)
In the US and Canada, it is Febuary, in the UK, October.

agirl -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:41:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: topcat In the US and Canada, it is Febuary, in the UK, October. Golly, I had no idea. It'd be great to have a month of history focus on all the different cultures that reside in the UK. agirl

Stephann -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 1:45:58 PM)
Living in Chile, I've experienced Racism. I've also seen other Latins experience far worse racism; many landlords will refuse to rent a room or apartment to a non-Chilean. People from Peru and Bolivia seem to face the worst racism, while people from Argentina and Brazil tend to experience it to a lesser degree. People fear what they don't understand. Having said that, how many large cities with decedents from Europe do not have Polish, Danish, Irish, or Italian festivals of some sort? The significance of Black History should not be lost, that when most Africans were brought here, their former culture, religion, and way of life were not just drawn away, it was shattered. Decedents of slaves weren't capable of even writing; thus could not keep records, nevermind the forced breeding that would take place mixing various tribal distinctions, etc. Yes, these things happened. Yes, it's in the past. No, as a nation, we have not accounted for it. Stephan

4u2spoil -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:01:06 PM)
Well stated. American history tends to be taught in terms of the accomplishments of white men. For balance, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a womens history month since women of all colors tend to be overlooked. Also, so far as specific groups being mentioned, I remember Italians, the Irish and Asians in geneal getting roughly the same amount of ink in history books as Native Americans and Black Americans. I don't intend any offense, but white supremacists/nationalists tend to focus on Black History Month (possibly because it's the longest established). There is more recently Latino History Month, and an Asian History Month as well. It's a good reminder that even if certain groups only get a month out of a semester or a half a chapter in a textbook, there are representatives from that group who've contributed to America as a country. quote: ORIGINAL: topcat Dear Blue- Well, it can be fairly stated that the history of the USA reads rather as a history of white men, so some balance is called for. We are a nation of all creeds, of all colors, but often, our historys misses the vital contributions of many, often, to be fair, simply by playing a numbers game. But the truly great american stories are those of people who rose above the herd in spite of a disadvantaged begining, often based simply on the color of their skin. This month gives us a chance to consider their stories, and celebrate their victories in building our nation.

dcnovice -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:04:57 PM)
quote: it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a womens history month since women of all colors tend to be overlooked. March is Women's History Month, in the U.S. at least.

topcat -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:08:30 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 4u2spoil Well stated. American history tends to be taught in terms of the accomplishments of white men. For balance, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a womens history month since women of all colors tend to be overlooked. Uh- that would be March...

4u2spoil -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:18:22 PM)
I didn't grow up in the UK, so I'm not familiar with the story of how most Black people arrived there. As far as descriptors, it would certainly be nice to just be a man, woman or child, but the reality is that most people still see skin color first. In the US, some people prefer the term African-American others prefer Black. I'd assume its similar to some people from the UK preferring to be called English rather than British. As far as racism goes, it's real and exists in almost every ethnic group. There are white racists, black racists, Asian racists, etc. Racism is commonly used by white supremacists and nationalists and is most certainly not restricted to "people of color" and left wingers. Personally, I choose to not let racist people or actions stop me from doing what I need to do, but just because I don't acknowledge it or let it disturb me doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And just because it's not acknowledged doesn't mean that "people of color" should sweep any sense of pride under the rug to assimilate. In the US, it's difficult for a lot of Black people to say "I'm proudly of Kenyan descent" or "I'm proudly of Ghanian descent" etc because so many Africans were made to mix nationalities and tribes, and there aren't good records for people to turn back to. For someone who has a well documented family tree, who can look back and say "my grandparents came from Ireland" or "I'm 4th generation Italian" or what have you, I see no reason why they shouldn't celebrate their heritage or the accomplishments of people from those groups in America. A good portion of black Americans can't do that, so they celebrate the accomplishments of the group as a whole. Lastly, the KKK is perpetuated by ignorance, insecurity and intimidation, not by left wingers or "people of color" who don't get what they want. quote: ORIGINAL: bludemonn It isnt, i live in one of the most ethnicly diverse areas in the world and as a white english male am i really really in the minority , i grown up with all different races and i dont see the colour as an issue but deffo the culture, it would be nice for people not to one minute shout about being called black then go and promote things like the MOBO's and black history month, anyways i thought it was african american other there? just cos you are black you have history? Maybe Bush will go and find the country of blackia and bomb it! Seriousley the term 'racist' is more used by 'people of colour' who dont get what they want and left wingers who encourage it, sort of agitate and just when things were going well some idiot goes and brings up 'black history month', you cant get more anger stirring than that! This wil perpetuate the memberships of KKK and the BNP in the UK, these race relations people really just font get it do they. anyways just my thoughts

pahunkboy -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:19:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: tangldupinblue ok so before i ask this question..i will state that this is only a question that i was asked by one of my kids. i dont want or mean to upset or offend anyone. so why is ok to have black history month and not a white history month? blue Ok- I was asked why is gay pride week/parade done? and not straight. To a gay person every day is a "straight " parade. All the things one must do to not rock the boat. I have to laugh over a confrontation with the state park management here. He assured me we dont "discriminate". The marina is straight- up on the hill is gay- by tradition. The straights want ALL the park area. We are referred to as "undesirables". He laid into me- why must we hang there. I said I live here locally- why cant I be here? yadda yadda- we dont discriminate. my reply: in that case- i can have a busload of 50 gays come up from Harrisburg. They will hold hands walk romantically along the marina. [kisssing] Just as the straight folks do. At peak time when families are there.... His jaw dropped. His expression was priceless!! He simply walked away. LOL PS- I am not black- so I do not claim to know the black experience. But I do know what it means to walk the line.

4u2spoil -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:20:56 PM)
I stand corrected. Probably just my education, but even for Black, Latino and Asian history months I remember most lessons being based around men. Glad to know there is a Women's History Month even if my memory got cloudy on it. quote: ORIGINAL: dcnovice quote: it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a womens history month since women of all colors tend to be overlooked. March is Women's History Month, in the U.S. at least.

pahunkboy -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:36:03 PM)
A black man invented the red-green-yellow light- [stop lights] betcha you used that often.

bludemonn -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:40:06 PM)
No you mean a person invented it? If we are gonna start talking about colour then i think we all know the winner here dont we. I dont give a crap if people wanna celebrate their colour i mean its natural but why is it only certain people can and others are prohibited now THAT is racism!

bludemonn -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:42:04 PM)
*going to start a WHITE MALE History month website or should i say YEAR as we should all celebrate what the white male has done and if you dont celebrate it you are RACIST!!! muhuhahhahaha then we will see all the true racists emerge banging on how its discriminating against their 'feelings'

dcnovice -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 2:56:31 PM)
Ideally, imho, we would not need Black History Month, Women's History Month, or the like. The stories of various groups--including, yes, white men--would be organically woven into the narrative of history. In some texts, that's beginning to happen, but that's not history was traditionally taught. Permit me to offer an example from my own life. My third-grade social studies book was a collection of mini-biographies of great Americans. That thick book profiled--count 'em--one African American (George Washington Carver) and one woman (Clara Barton). Everyone else was, yep, a white male. It was generations of books like that that made folks think we needed to be a bit more intentional about teaching the untold chapters of our history.

dcnovice -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 3:00:19 PM)
quote: we should all celebrate what the white male has done Fwiw, the major memorials here in DC largely honor white men. The closet any other group gets to prime time is as part of the Korean or Vietnam memorials. And there's a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt at the FDR Memorial. Rest assured, blu, there's no lack of attention paid to white men.

pahunkboy -> RE: black history month (2/19/2007 3:21:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: bludemonn No you mean a person invented it? If we are gonna start talking about colour then i think we all know the winner here dont we. I dont give a crap if people wanna celebrate their colour i mean its natural but why is it only certain people can and others are prohibited now THAT is racism! I think I will let Dave Chappelle, or Carlos Mencia do my talking on this very touchy topic.

Page: [1] 2 3 next > >>

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

4.711914E-02