by Shannon Rayford

Created on: October 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 03, 2009

Being raised in the deep south in a town that's only twenty percent African American and going to a university that is less than five percent African American, I have heard many people claim that Black History Month is racist. They claim a White History Month would never be allowed, so Black History should not be allowed either. I understand this theory completely, but the observance of days such as Women's History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and American Indian Heritage Month were all created for minority groups whose vast accomplishments would otherwise be overlooked or ignored. Personally, I wish there was no need to dedicate months to recognize these groups of Americans, but unfortunately we live in a society were past racism and sexism has set the tone for how we educate our children today.

Hispanic, American Indian, and African Americans, along with women and many other groups have, in the past, been made to feel like they were less intelligent and less important than their white, male counterparts. Although it sounds harsh, it is the truth. Growing up in that kind of society has the potential to make people who are part of these groups have low self-esteem and low self-worth. It also has the potential to make people who are not part of these believe they are better than others.

Month's such as Black History month allows everyone to see the accomplishments African Americans have made to their country. When only learning about slavery and Jim Crow laws in school it does not give these children a reason to feel patriotic. Of course, we still need to teach things like Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, but how many of us know that Lewis Latimer, an African American, worked in his laboratory with him and invented a part of it ( the carbon filament). Children are taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America, but how many people know that Pietro Alonzo ( an African man) piloted the Nina and was one of his key navigators. There was even a public dinner given at Seville by the Duke of Medina in his honor after he returned to Spain from America.

You see, Black History Month is not a month for black people. It's a month for all people to learn about the intelligent and innovative Americans who have made contributions to get us were we are today. It is not a month to divide races, but a month to unite us so we all can see that people from all races, genders, and religions have made advancements in this country, which is the reason America is so great. It is a time to show our children and the world, that yes, we may have discriminated against women, Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, and many more groups in the past, but we are trying to correct these issues so the next generation will not make the same mistakes.

As I previously stated, in a perfect world these months would not be necessary. Our history books would include important contributions made by Asian, African, Hispanic, Native, and many other Americans, but until new history books are made, these months will always be necessary.

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