by Skip Flanagan

Created on: February 02, 2010

Black History Month is now upon us. As i look at the words and think about the topic i get mixed emotions. It sounds kind of racist and by the same token it brings a sense of pride.  I wonder how can it be both.  If I was a White American it would be hard for me to partake in this history or this celebration.  A celebration that i am excluded from. I know the feeling of being left out of something it hurts. 

As we strive to come to common ground as to what America really stands for this month establishes its relevancy.  Slavery is a dark past for the United States.  During the period of slavery lots of Black Americans were called on to build this great america with no monetary reward or no recognizable place in American History.  The great accomplishments of Americans are spit between lines of color.  Most of the accomplishments of Black americans are not recognized on television consistently enough to make this month irrelevant. There is a big book of history that is not accessible to black americans.  Yet Black Americans are a valuable part of todays history as well as the past. 

To one day not have this month necessary is a dream we all partake in.  i hope.  Can you imagine there being  a White history month?  What an uproar it would be.  We have Cinco de Mayo and many other holidays. Yet u put a White History month and there will be rumbles near and afar.  I say this to say America has not grown enough to not see things through black and white lenses.  I remember when i was growing up and we had the binocular like toys that we had to insert the cd lookin cartridge and it looked like we were right at disney land.  I use this example to say that we can no longer look at life through black and white lenses. We have to see this life through plain glasses.  Emotions run high in America.  Yet there is a balance that we must come to.  This America allows for anyone to worship religion of choice. America allows you to fly the flag of your choice on American soil.  Yet one sometimes has to ask is this in the best interest of America?  Where are we going?  Who are we?

I have always said that we need to establish America as a Christian based nation.  No disrespect to other religions. thats just who we are.  That is what produced the type of American that we could all be proud of.  In America we are sensitive and cautious about our

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>