As a Black man in America, it is difficult to continue to deal with Black History Month. It’s not because Blacks haven’t done many noteworthy things, nor is it that our contributions weren’t significant. But it has to do with purpose. Maybe I’m missing it, but I don’t see the benefits.
For years, we have had telethons, walk-a-thons, and other various fundraisers for all types of ailments. Diabetes, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, breast cancer, MS, lupus, dementia and many others. We have been finding a cure for so long that most of the money raised is to really help us cope with the reality of the disease.
We know already that many of the degenerative diseases are caused by the Western diet, but if you listen to the diet advice from the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association, they will tell you to eat everything in moderation basically. The point is: Why raise money to fix something that you really don’t want fixed?
Our country is good for giving the natives “busy work” to take their attention away from the real issue. No gatekeeper in American wants to get rid of any degenerative disease.
This is significant because I think Black History Month is more busy work, just like MLK day and the Juneteenth celebration. Busy work design to get Black activists to feel as sense of accomplishment and get them off the real issue.
Instead of Black History, we need to tell the true American history story. Celebrate the good, bad, and ugly because it is truth. By doing this, it becomes easy to challenge the status que in talks of reparations. Many people still believe that reparations is about slavery. We don’t need reparations for slavery. Far worse scenarios have happened after that. Every decade since slavery could qualify for reparations. Instead of celebrating Black History Month, let’s talk about that for a month!
ClydeStyle 