Black History Month: Quick Facts

Over the next week, I will be posting random Black History Month facts that I'm sure many will find very interesting and informative.

We ALL need to know our history so that we can plan for the future.

• John Love invented the pencil sharpener

• William Purveys invented the fountain pen

• Lee Barrage invented the Type Writing Machine

• W. A. Love invented the Advanced Printing Press.

Black History Month: Mixed Feelings

I've known Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week in 1926, by Carter G. Woodson, since I was 4-years old. Growing up in a largely Black, West Indian community, it struck me as comical that I was learning about what Blacks had faced in the South, and even what the slaves had faced in the Virgin Islands.

It wasn't until I was in the third grade that it started to make sense and I began to appreciate the contributions by so many determined and selfless Black people. Still, I was perplexed because there were so many contributions made by White, Yellow and other folks, that I struggled to understand why another person would look down on another human being for being 'different'? It took alot of explaining and patience on my parent's part, and, certainly, on my grandparent's part, having been born in 1920 in the British Virgin Islands.

Still, today, some argue that Black History Month should become a thing of the past, because the United States has the first bi-racial (some would argue and say Black) President.

Some see Black History Month or as officially proclaimed by President Obama on Februar 2, 2009, "National African-American History Month.". Obama called for," all people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of African-American history."

While Black History Month has become a fixture in schools, some would ask if we still need to celebrate it in the new century?

Some would argue that Black History Month should be eliminated because it does nothing more than promote division, because of the stain of guilt that many Whites feel. Does this hinder people's growth of accepting differences and having frank conversations about them? Some would say that it does.

So, as I write this on the first day of February 2010, I write this knowing that it's important to know the history and give voice to those that struggled and even died, so that I can write such a piece, as a Black man.

As a race of human beings, we have to learn how to have those uncomfortable conversations without jumping to conclusions; we have to allow human beings to be just that, human beings.

Education, open dialogue,s willingness to learn and think beyond the self is key and that goes for Black, White, Yellow and Brown. We are, after all, One Nation Under A Groove!

Black History Month

It took me 8-days to decide whether or not I was going to write
something, about the fact that it's Black History Month.

I've known Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week in
1926, by Carter G. Woodson, since I was 4-years old. Growing up in a
largely Black community, it struck me as comical that I was learning
about what Blacks had faced in the South and even what the slaves had
faced in the Virgin Islands.

It wasn't until I was in the third grade that it started to make sense
and I began to appreciate the contributions by so many determined and
selfless Black people. Still, I was perplexed because there were so
many contributions made by White, Yellow and other folks, that I
struggled to understand why another person would look down on another
human being for being 'different'? It took alot of explaining from my
parents and grand parents, who were born in 1920, in the British
Virgin Islands.

Still, today, some argue that Black History Month should become a
thing of the past, because the United States have elected the first
Black President.

Some see Black History Month or as officially proclaimed by President
Obama on Feb. 2,"National African-American History Month.". Obama
called for," all people of the United States to observe this month
with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that raise
awareness and appreciation of African-American history."

Black History Month has become a fixture in schools, but do we still
need it today?

Some would argue that Black History Month should be eliminated because
it does nothing more than promote division, because of the stain of
guilt that many Whites feel. Does this hinder people's growth of
accepting differences and having frank conversations about them? Some
would say that it does.

So, as I type this on the 8th day in the month of February of the year
2009, I still am perplexed by the question, "Do we need to continue to
celebrate Black History Month?" I do believe that we must know our
history and not run from it, and that goes for the Black, White,
Yellow and Brown. We are, after all, One Nation Under A Groove!