The Challenge of Black History Month

It took me a while to think of something to write concerning Black History Month. Then, an idea hit me. What follows is the written illustration of that idea.

Most people reading this know a decent amount of black history. If you don’t, Google and Wikipedia are your starting-point friends (I repeat: starting-point friends). One of the problems with black history is that…well, let people tell it; this current generation – casting a wide net on this one, so I’ll say “people under 40” – will only be a part of history when it becomes history.

Now I can’t imagine anyone in this group wanting that to be the case. I know I don’t. People talked about how this generation could be the first one to so worse than its predecessor financially at one point during the recession. We don’t want to approach a similar fate in other areas of life too.

I know what my parents went through. I obviously know what they accomplished. I’m sure the same goes for many of you, and the idea of us collectively doing less with more has me feeling rather uneasy (to be kind). I kept thinking about this and one word came to mind. You’ll pick up on what that is rather easily as I outline what we need to do.

1. Challenge ourselves

As is the case with any widespread movement, the first steps have to be taken internally. I’m sure every last one of us can think of one thing that we could do (better) to improve our station in the bigger picture. If we all do our part, those actions will add up: and this is one of those situations in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

2. Challenge our parents

Those of us who are fortunate enough to still have our parents – although this can also apply to aunts, uncles, grandparents: basically, and older family members – need to challenge them to tell us about their lives. We need to know what it was like when their generation was out making the history we hold so dear. Even if they have to recall times of despair, we should know those times so we don’t repeat them.

3. Challenge our teachers

This is mostly for the grade school crowd (none of whom may read this, but whatever)…I don’t mean to talk more in class or procrastinate or see if you can talk your way into a better grade. Don’t challenge their institutional authority. Challenge their intellectual authority. How do you know what they’re saying is right? Is it because it’s in a book? Remember, war stories are only written by the victors. No, that quote does not pertain to history alone.

For the postsecondary crowd: you pay…or someone pays on your behalf…for your professors to do their job. I know (personally) that a bunch of them hate teaching: especially if they’re at PWIs. So what? Part of their job is to be there for you. Make them fulfill that. If you want to learn something your class should cover, tell them. If you want to learn something that’s not in the course description, make them point you in the right direction.

For those not in school anymore: you have teachers. Find them.

4. Challenge our friends

Now I’m not saying to walk up to your confidante and say “your inactivity is what’s keeping us down”. One, it’s horribly rude; and two, it’s patently false. That said, our real friends should be able to accept a few words from us encouraging them to further help with this grand scheme. Such efforts could easily be collaborative: volunteering together, participating in a book club, even social outings such as trips to the theater or to art shows. Every little bit helps.

5. Challenge other black people (or others of your race)

You have to be suave in how you do this. I’m not even sure whether it matters more if you’re black in this case. Most black people I know wear their blackness on their sleeves, and you don’t want to come across as questioning them. In the case of non-black folk, I imagine this could go a couple ways. I could see people not wanting to appear racist, but I could also see people not wanting to become whatever the racial equivalent is to “tree-huggers”.

6. Challenge non-black people (or people not of your race)

Basically, the last paragraph applies here as well. The difference is that the possible negative consequences are magnified. Throw politics in the pot and things get really messy. This can be mitigated by setting and circumstance, but generally speaking it’s best to exercise caution when approaching different-race people on the subject. Employ sound reasoning. Make people aware that you know your position…and more importantly, that you don’t know theirs. Express the fact that you have a common goal. Last but not least, speak/act with conviction.

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I could talk about the whole journey/single step thing, but you all get that already. Y’all also know the bit about people who fail to learn from history. As such, I’ll try this: with any manmade product, it has to be…well, made…before it is.

So, with that in mind – make history before you become history.