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Ron Jackson's Perspective
The BOND Newsletter
March 2004
Black History should be
history |
BOND,
the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny, is a national,
nonprofit religious organization dedicated to “Rebuilding the Family
By Rebuilding the Man”. |
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The Dr. Martin
L. King Jr., holiday is behind us. It’s full steam ahead towards
February and Black History Month. It’s the shortest month on
the calendar, and like the high of crack cocaine, a brief time when
everything and everyone black is positive.
During the 1960s
when America was at the peak of its civil revolution, Black History
Month became official. Since then, every February 1, by some
mysterious occurrence, all black Americans purport pride. Even the
unemployed, disenfranchised, self-proclaimed victims, and
incarcerated become empowered during Black History Month. Why?
What does the date on a wall have to do with one’s real condition
and place in society and self worth?
During the
entire month, accomplishments by black Americans, most of whom are
dead and whose triumphs were achieved long before the civil rights
movement, will be highlighted. Stories of great humans who overcame
real obstacles and had a fraction of the opportunities of today’s
blacks will temporarily inspire us. Many of the stories are worthy
of repetition. Most become trivia attempting to instill temporary
pride in generations of blacks who have quit dreaming and quit on
themselves.
It is amazing
that years ago blacks were not allowed to learn to read, but they
found a way to read. It’s sad that today’s illiteracy rate is
greatest among blacks. It’s endearing to learn that blacks died to
gain the right to vote. It’s disheartening that voter apathy is
highest among blacks. It is mind boggling to hear how black men and
women achieved greatness at the risk of losing their lives. It’s
unbelievable how black on black crime continues to snuff out the
lives of so many before they reach their greatness. It’s inspiring
to learn the lessons from the past about the importance of the work
ethic and the fact that no man or government can deny a human of the
important things in life. It’s most embarrassing that many of
today’s generation feel entitled to a handout because of black
history.
Black History
Month has become 28 days of trivial pursuit. It’s more about naming
the first black person to achieve success in any particular
endeavor. It’s about honoring dead folks and feeling we are entitled
to some reward on their behalf. It’s about denying that since the
civil rights gains of the 1960s, America has created a race of
people who have gained more opportunities but accomplished less,
while becoming more dependent upon the very government they despise.
Black History
Month is an admittance that black America is failing. It’s a mere
respite from the 11 months of some of today’s high-profile black
Americans who use their influence to keep blacks mentally enslaved
to affirmative action, reparations, and other government
entitlements. When history is the height of achievement and the
present and future is not, this equates defeat. When our best are
dead, we are dead. When our best is behind us, there is nothing
before us worth chasing. When our youth must look to the past to
find pride and inspiration in themselves, that exposes a serious
flaw in the black community.
Black History
Month has served its useful purpose. It was born out of necessity
and at one point was very relevant to acknowledge black American
achievements that had been hidden for many years. Today, we have
immediate access to history as soon as it is made. To need a month
to boast about the successes of others in the distant past in order
to feel good about ourselves today is to declare ourselves useless.
History is
history. Black History Month has run its course. It should be like
gold: something to find, to treasure, to appreciate, and to share. It should have a universal value. In a society as diverse as ours,
when one segment is given selective acknowledgement, it is an
affront to the rest of America.
On March 1
Black History Month becomes history for another 11 months. It should
be history for good. |
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