Black History Month Revisited

Chad Newton
Staff Writer

Disclaimer: Before I write this story I would like to warn people about the content. It would only be fair to give you viewers a heads up. This story contains a combination of facts and opinions authored by Chad Newton. The story will contain highly offensive content that may disturb or anger you. Please notice this is another point of view; and, yes, I do mean all of it when I write it down. For those that have sensitivity to reading offensive material please discontinue; for the ones with an open mind, please continue to enjoy my commentary. Thank You.

   Black History Month is highly solidified in the month of February. Black History Month gives black people remembrance of their ancestors' achievements and sacrifices. Black History Month was created by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 as an effort to provide strong evidence that Africans played a vital role in the creation of America.

   This was a great feat, but I sometimes ask myself, why is black history only recognized in February? Why is there only just Black History Month? Why is there not an observance for the history of Hispanics, Asians, Italians, Jewish or Irish? We are all a part of American history, and American history should be celebrated every day.

    Has Black History Month become a novelty for black folks that never received reparations, 40 acres and a mule? Our history was great, but what do we have to be proud of now? Not a goddamn thing. Where are our history-making people? Since the late 1980s, black Americans have loafed off the backs of our strong and sacrificial ancestors who worked so hard for us to make even greater history.

   Believe it or not, we have failed our ancestors. Besides Barack Obama running for president, we haven't done anything significant. OK, I am wrong we did create new rap anthems, dances, songs, the strongest economy, the Black Klux Ku Klan, diamond grills, absent and immature parents, video hoes, pimps, gay rappers, R-Kelly, Black Entertainment Television, pimped out rides and clothes, and embarrassing political, business and entertainment figures.

   What would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. think about black America today? Would he be proud that we have became multimillionaires in our own right, but at the same token paid a fool’s price for doing it? Is this the way black Americans get ahead - the entertainment industry? I see nothing wrong with the entertainment industry, but does every “nigga” in the neighborhood have to be a rapper? Or does every young girl have to be a video hoe to make it? Do we have to emulate pimps and drug dealers to become rich and wealthy? We no longer have role models for young black children to look up to. We have forgotten our teaching and history in order to continue the legacy. While other races are continuing their history, we have reached an impasse.

   We are No. 1 in HIV-Aids due to “low-down black men” who will not let their spouse or girlfriends know they are messing around with men. We make the most excuses in why we have not gotten our shit together. We are No. 1 in imprisonment, though some of it can be blamed on racism. We are No. 1 in same-race racial crimes committed mainly because of senseless tribal warfare in the streets.

   So, think about it, what have we really done that was very significant lately besides “Flavor of Love” and “I Love New York?” I hate to even talk about this issue, because I believe in the spirit of Black History Month. Black History Month should be a time to reflect on the strengths and sacrifices of our ancestors and work on the weaknesses and cowardliness in our present and possible future. I hope all people read this, especially black people. Maybe everyone can learn from this.

©The Voice 2008