J Y Provocative Question # 33: Do you think having history/heritage/awareness months is beneficial? If yes, how so? If no, what is a better way to celebrate/drive awareness?

            The direct answer to J Y Provocative question is “yes.” True_George thinks that having history/heritage/awareness months is very beneficial. True_George will use the example of the Black History Month of February to make the point.

There was a time in America and perhaps other places where black people were told that blacks as a people have no history. That the history of black people in America began when they arrived to the American shores. Even aspects of the black experience were not taught in schools.

Now, one would think that there was something wrong with this picture. Apart from the native Indian tribes, every other group came to the American shores from other places, they know their origins, folklore, and historic aspects. But are we to believe that those who came to the American shores as enslaved people did not have the same.  

Historically the enslaved blacks were prohibited to teach their offspring their native language, they could not pass down family traditions, folklore, and most historic aspects of where they came from. Over time, from one generation to the next, the identity of self was systematically stripped away. But fortunately, all wasn’t lost, because the enslaved people found creative ways to keep their tradition alive, through dance, music, and stories of tradition. At least keeping something alive.   

About one hundred years ago during the 1920’s “Negro History Week,” was launched. The second week of February was chosen because it coincides with the birthdays od Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas. Then in 1976, the President of the United States official declared the month of February as “Black History” month.

O.K, the brief background concerning black history month, did you get an idea why it is important to have awareness month?

If it wasn’t for this awareness month many people would not know anything about their culture, that black history did not start when the enslaved blacks arrived in America. That there are records that trace the lineage of blacks up to the ship that carried their enslaved ancestors to the American shores. Plus other cultural aspects.

There are those that say that black history month should be abolished because African- American history, is American History. There are those in the black community agreeing with this sort of nonsense.

All, True_George can say about it is “Lord forgive them, for they know not what they are saying.”

Yes, African American history is indeed American history, but like true_George said earlier. Black contributions to the larger American development are not even mentioned in grade school. If it wasn’t for black history month, even black children wouldn’t know what kind of contribution that black people have made in the development of the U.S.A.

Hell, just the other day True_George was listening to a Pod caste called “The untold history of Winston Churchill and the British Empire.” The professor pointed out that many people do not know anything about their history.

Well, True_George says that having awareness months will aide in making people become aware of their culture’s historical experience. Nowadays, they have mental illness awareness month, women’s awareness month, Domestic violence awareness month, many others.

Prove me wrong if awareness months did not exist that people will be a bit more ignorant.