Driving to work this morning a radio DJ started to play “Midnight Train To Georgia” by Gladys Knight and the Pips. I got immediately excited because the song is simply one of my favorite songs ever and in fact as a child, I wanted to be a Pip. Suddenly my excitement became anger as the DJ said, and I quote: “In honor of Black History Month, Ms. Gladys Knight.
Forgive my language but WHAT THE FUCK?
So, in his mind he was contributing to the big socio-racial conversation by whipping out an old MOTOWN record?
Really?
It dawned on me that for many, that was what this month was supposed to be, a celebration of the people who are popular and accessible. Celebrating the ones “we know” and not worrying about digging too deep and getting the whole story. It confirmed in my mind the Black History Month has missed its mark.
February is Black History Month. In theory, it is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
I say in theory because sadly, this month of recognition has always seemed to miss the mark for me. Maybe it stems from the fact that in my skewed logic having to designate an official month to recognize anything diminishes that things importance. Put another way, making an “official” holiday or month means that whatever the subject is does not stand on its own merits and needs to be applauded to be recognized.
I find it sad that in 2012 we must be reminded to stop and think about the contributions made by an entire racial group. I find it even sadder that when we do recognize them we only hover around the people of that race that are easy to recognize; entertainers, actors, the most well-known leaders, etc.
I mean….. I get it.
Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. was a tremendous leader and had a deep impact on our world.
Yes, Louie Armstrong could play the shit out of that cornet.
Yes, Denzel Washington’s, Kareem Abdul Jabbar’ and Jackie Robinson’s stories are all far more accessible and easier to embrace than many others who have made far more impactful contributions.
We need to celebrate those contributions, but we need to talk about Madam Walker, Sojourner Truth and W.E.B. Du Bois even more. Fredrick Douglass had more impact of our society in one week than Usher has had in his whole life. George Washington Carver changed his world far more than 50 Cent will and in much more positive ways.
So, if we are going to focus on a race (and we should) then lets dig a bit deeper and assure that we see the full value of their contributions. Let see if we can’t get past the concept of Black History “Month” and realize that we all have played a part and the WE would not be US without the contributions of EVERYONE.
I hope that someday we can celebrate an OUR History Month where it won't matter who did what or what color that their skin was. I hope that someday that it becomes irrelevant that the person was black, white or magenta.
And when we do get there, I will celebrate….. quite possibly with some Gladys Knight played really loud.
