Rose Russell: Black history not only about slavery and Martin Luther King
Here we are halfway through Black History Month and I'm just now writing about it.
I probably should have waited until May, or maybe September, to write about black history. I can imagine people checking their calendars, wondering, "what's up with her writing about black history in the spring or fall and not February?"
Maybe then people would begin to understand that they can discuss black history and hold related events any time of year.
And also, Greater Toledo Urban League President Johnny Mickler would get relief. He receives many invitations to talk about black history in February, and he takes as many as he can. If black history were integrated with other subjects and events, he wouldn't be so worn out come March 1, when Women's History Month begins.
It would be nice not to have Black History Month, or Women's History Month, or Hispanic History Month, or time designated for any group to celebrate its history and contributions to this country.
As for black history, numerous African-Americans would rather not have it concentrated in a single month, and wish it could be a part of everyday life.
"There needs to be more consideration for black history," Libbey High School junior Deonte Smith said in a Sunday Page One report on the subject. "I think it should be six months out of the year."
He's not alone. Sadly, though, America is not there yet - not for blacks, women, Hispanics, or any minority group. That's why it's not too late to bring up the subject now, when February has 11 days left.
And there would be nothing wrong with discussing it later in the year either. Doing so would emphasize a point being made in the debate about black history saturating "the shortest and the coldest month of the year," which is that it should be integrated into American history, because that's what it is.
However, as the Sunday reports on The Blade's front page and Living sections proved, it will be a while before we can eliminate Black History Month.
Some students are weary of learning about the same old historical figures and events. Rogers High School student Michelle Ellis wants a broader understanding of this history.
Michelle said, "They keep teaching us about the same people every year. They should try to talk about other people."...
Read entire article at Toeldo Blade
I probably should have waited until May, or maybe September, to write about black history. I can imagine people checking their calendars, wondering, "what's up with her writing about black history in the spring or fall and not February?"
Maybe then people would begin to understand that they can discuss black history and hold related events any time of year.
And also, Greater Toledo Urban League President Johnny Mickler would get relief. He receives many invitations to talk about black history in February, and he takes as many as he can. If black history were integrated with other subjects and events, he wouldn't be so worn out come March 1, when Women's History Month begins.
It would be nice not to have Black History Month, or Women's History Month, or Hispanic History Month, or time designated for any group to celebrate its history and contributions to this country.
As for black history, numerous African-Americans would rather not have it concentrated in a single month, and wish it could be a part of everyday life.
"There needs to be more consideration for black history," Libbey High School junior Deonte Smith said in a Sunday Page One report on the subject. "I think it should be six months out of the year."
He's not alone. Sadly, though, America is not there yet - not for blacks, women, Hispanics, or any minority group. That's why it's not too late to bring up the subject now, when February has 11 days left.
And there would be nothing wrong with discussing it later in the year either. Doing so would emphasize a point being made in the debate about black history saturating "the shortest and the coldest month of the year," which is that it should be integrated into American history, because that's what it is.
However, as the Sunday reports on The Blade's front page and Living sections proved, it will be a while before we can eliminate Black History Month.
Some students are weary of learning about the same old historical figures and events. Rogers High School student Michelle Ellis wants a broader understanding of this history.
Michelle said, "They keep teaching us about the same people every year. They should try to talk about other people."...