Black History Month: Day Eight--The Controversy

*Note: For The Journey: Day Twenty-One see my earlier post today.

Black History Month: The History and the Controversy

Day Eight: And Now “The Controversy”

Having spent our first week briefly outlining the history of Black History Month, it’s time to engage in conversation: “The Controversy.”

Is Black History Month still a net positive or a net negative for African Americans? For America in general?

It’s In the News

Just last night Jesse Washington, AP National Writer, entitled his article, “Time to End Black History Month?” He opened with the question, “Should Black History Month itself fade into history?”

Many people, both Whites and Blacks, argue that Black history should be incorporated into year-round education. For instance, Stephen Donovan, a 41-year-old lawyer is quoted by Washington saying, “If Obama’s election means anything, it means that African American history IS American history and should be remembered and recognized every day of the year.”

Donovan continued. Ending “paternalistic” observations like Black History Month would lead to not “only a reduction in racism, but Whites more ready and willing and able to celebrate our differences, enjoy our traditions, without feeling the strain of guilt that stifles frank dialogue and acceptance across cultures?”

Encouraging the Conversation

I am not saying this is or is not my view. I am inviting conversation. Dialogue. What do you think about Donavan’s conclusions?

Others come to similar conclusions for different reasons. Still others come to very different conclusions—saying we desperately still need Black History Month.

Stay tuned . . .