Happy Black History Month—Ray Watson
Thursday, February 03, 2022
“Happy Black History Month." It’s amazing how much controversy those four words can stir up. Some criticism has merit, other criticism less. Either way it’s a conversation worth having as we begin the 2022 Black History Month celebration.
Firstly, I am fully in support of the Black History Month concept. It is as essential for Americans today as it was when Carter G. Woodson initiated the Negro History Week in 1925--the predecessor to the contemporary Black History Month celebration. Anyone being honest about the matter must admit that American society has an intimate history of painting the Black community in a negative regard that often revolves around or is rooted in notions of slavery, violence, hypersexuality, or just an overall lack of achievement. Personally, I’m not against discussing these issues. Healthy dialogue in these regards is both warranted and key to progression on many levels. Where it becomes problematic however is when these elements are consistently presented as the defining characteristics of the Black community; a practice that so often enables the ever entertaining “Those people . . .” statements that fly so freely in the comment section. As the proper framing for these discussions should be to better understand the challenges that the Black community has historically faced and overcome in America, it is fundamentally important that Americans a whole take time to understand and acknowledge the many and ongoing contributions of the Black community to American society. Happy Black History Month Rhode Island.
That said, one of the more legitimate criticisms I have heard about the Black History Month celebration is that it can have the effect of “otherizing” the Black community. U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell’s recent comments on voting rates of “African Americans” compared to those of “Americans” speaks directly to this concern. The Black experience is often depicted and considered as something separate and apart from the broader “American” experience, rather than something fundamental to it . . . and that is extremely problematic.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSimply put, where would America be today without the historic and persisting contributions of the Black community? From the sailors and indentured servants who assisted in European colonization of the Americas; to the free chattel slave labor that built the wealth of early America; to participating in the American Revolution and all subsequent wars; to the myriad of contributions and innovations made to the sciences and technologies; to dominating fields of sports and entertainment; to pioneering some of the most iconic and impactful forms of art and music . . . I would challenge any able-bodied mind to debate the notion that America would or could be the America it is today were it not, in part, for the contributions of the Black community. Yes, “otherization” is quite problematic and something to be considered when reflecting upon the impact of a Black History Month celebration.
Next, there is a concern that celebration of a Black History Month can serve to generalize and minimize the complexity and diversity that is the Black community. Here in Rhode Island specifically, the Black community is comprised of individuals of African heritage with both historical ties to the State as well as more recent engagements. In Rhode Island the Black community also consists of individuals with ancestral connections to the Caribbean and broader Americas. In Rhode Island, we also include individuals of European and Asian heritage who despite their Parentage, due to societal constructs, are determined to be Black presenting. Lastly, in many instances the Black community in Rhode Island also consists of individuals who identify primarily with their American Indian heritage. Notwithstanding this very apparent diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and experiences, in Rhode Island these communities are collectively placed under the umbrella of the Black community. Accordingly, some critics feel that attempting to celebrate and acknowledge the true complexity and diversity of the Black community in one month’s time—during the shortest month of the year—does a disservice to and does not properly honor the full and complete history, legacy, and impact of the Black community in Rhode Island, and more broadly in America.
I think both perspectives are interesting and worthy of further exploration.
Whatever conversations considered, there is one criticism that will never be persuasive in my eyes; the notion that celebrating Black history somehow negates or takes away from the contributions of the White community to American society. This sentiment is often manifested in the form of a question; “If we’re going to celebrate Black history month shouldn’t we celebrate White history month too?”
My response: “No. America already celebrates White history month . . . every month . . . it’s called American society and culture.” A provocative statement? Perhaps . . . but I would challenge any able-bodied mind to debate the notion that America does not acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the White community to American society in a most effective manner and at the minimum monthly.
Truth be told, I’m not against it. There is nothing wrong with being proud of and celebrating one’s history and heritage. What I am saying is that these same principles apply equally to the history and heritage of the Black community.
Beyond this statement, I encourage exploring the same questions considered during my previous discussion of the Black History Month celebration. Whether a White History Month celebration would serve to “otherize” the White community from the broader American society; and whether a White History Month celebration would serve to generalize and minimize the diversity and complexity of the cultures and experiences that comprise the White community in America. These are questions that merit further examination in my opinion.
I’ll end with these closing remarks . . . Black history is American history, and American history is worth taking the time to learn more about. Happy Black History Month Rhode Island.
Not that you asked, but that’s my three cents, in case you were wondering.
Raymond Two Hawks Watson
