I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by omegamcgee
I have thought for a long time that having black history month was not really productive. We don't have white history month, and it just kind of seems to me that this whole thing just propagates racism. Thinking about people in terms of black and white, and even devoting an entire month to the history of one, is detrimental to equal rights and the end of racism.

I don't think you can compare black history month to white history month.

Question: if thinking about people in terms of "black and white" is "detrimental to equal rights and the end of racism," what would be beneficial to equal rights and the end of racism?

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by Lindz928
That is often the line that I hear... But I don't think it's true. How often do you celebrate your "whiteness"?

Everyday.

When they dont make me prepay at the pump because I am white.
When I test drive a car, they let me take it off the lot by myself.
When I get a paycheck that is larger for the same amount of work.
When I apply for a home loan, and if declined, I know its because I didnt qualify, not because of my skin color.

I am sure there are lots more, but those are the ones off the top of my head...

[OhSoDetermined]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I might have just fallen in love with lifesaver

[jubilance1922]

Originally posted by lifesaver
Everyday.

When they dont make me prepay at the pump because I am white.
When I test drive a car, they let me take it off the lot by myself.
When I get a paycheck that is larger for the same amount of work.
When I apply for a home loan, and if declined, I know its because I didnt qualify, not because of my skin color.

I am sure there are lots more, but those are the ones off the top of my head...

I love you because you GET IT!

Black history month is needed, and I don't care what anyone says. We still have history books in GA that say "slaves came to the South to help the White people grow cotton." (paraphrased...I know someone is going to come in here and say "that's not the exact quote!") That clearly isn't what happened. Black history month is needed because there are more influential Black Americans besides MLK and Harriet Tubman, but most people (regardless of race) don't have the information presented to them.

[Kimmie1913]

Are those in this thread who think Black history Month is so unnecessary really aware of why it exists in the first place? And how little has changed in the teaching of history?

" Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.

These are the words of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, distinguished Black author, editor, publisher, and historian (December 1875 - April 1950). Carter G. Woodson believed that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs in our country. He strongly believed that Black history - which others have tried so diligently to erase - is a firm foundation for young Black Americans to build on in order to become productive citizens of our society."
See http://www.chipublib.org/002branches...oodsonbib.html


Despite the presence of people of African decent in the United States for over four hundred years, our history was and to some extent is largely excluded from school curriculums in this country. We got the token mention as the savages in Africa rescued and brought to America to be the slaves happily helping the Whites build the South as jubilance1922 mentioned. That was it. For a very long time. Carter G. Woodson gave birth the idea of Negro History Week in February in 1926 as a way to infuse SOME relevant history related to the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans into the curriculum. Black history has been systematically and decidedly excluded from history curriculums. Its value has never been fully appreciated and the concept of teaching events that involve contributions of African American contemporaneously with other events in history has remained lost on too many authors of history books.

I agree with Morgan Freeman that there should not need to be a Black history month or a (fill in the blank) history month. But until there is a true revamp of the way history is taught in this country and relevant accomplishments of African Americans, Women, Native Americans, etc. are integrated into the storytelling of history, I believe in doing whatever is necessary to make sure this information reaches our children one way or another.

[Lindz928]

Originally posted by lifesaver
Everyday.

When they dont make me prepay at the pump because I am white.
When I test drive a car, they let me take it off the lot by myself.
When I get a paycheck that is larger for the same amount of work.
When I apply for a home loan, and if declined, I know its because I didnt qualify, not because of my skin color.

I am sure there are lots more, but those are the ones off the top of my head...

Ok, you are just ASSUMING that these are happening because you are white. And I see none of them as "cebebrating".


I am not saying there should be no lessons on black history.... I just think it is a history that should be included with that of our entire country and civilization. Of course it is important... I think learning the truth about ALL history is vitally important. I just don't think there should be a distinction between "black" history and "white" history. Why can't it just be OUR HISTORY? It's not about keeping the terrible parts of the past hidden... it's not about keeping people down.... it is about taking steps forward to try and remove the dividing line between black and white, which I think is a step toward true equality.

[Lindz928]

Originally posted by Kimmie1913
We got the token mention as the savages in Africa rescued and brought to America to be the slaves happily helping the Whites build the South as jubilance1922 mentioned. That was it. For a very long time.

When and where did ya'll go to school???? I am 25, and grew up in the south... And that is not how I ever had it taught to me. Maybe I am just lucky though.

[Rudey]

I think black people should sue France during black history month.

I am willing to help out in any way I can.

-Rudey

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by Lindz928
Ok, you are just ASSUMING that these are happening because you are white. And I see none of them as "cebebrating".

I'm not celebrating it. Its just the way it is. Its celebrated by our culture on my behalf.

These things dont just happen to me random. They happen to me because I have 'value added' credability that people of color dont get. Its like an unstated 'credit' thats given to you because were white. Ive seen the gas station thing happen time and time again. I was on road trips in college and my friends of color would ask me to getout and pump, because they knew the shopkeeper would turn on the pump for me. And they always did. When my friends pumped, someone had to go in and pay first.

Its been shown in study after study that whites make more professionally than non-whites. I'll leave the reseacrch to someone else if they want to do the legwork.

One has to really step out of their box to get it, but its there all along. Most of us whites just take it for advantage, because its all weve known, but a double standard does exist. To think of believe otherwise is foolish, but easy to do in the lilly-white world in which we live.

Lindz, when you make a mistake at work or in school, have you ever thought, "god, I bet some fool here is gonna think all white people are like me'? Or wonder if someone is saying to themselves, 'dumb ass white people"? Do you live your life always having to be one step better than everyone elses expectations because you know you are always acting as an ambassador of white people everywhere? No? Because you dont have to.

ETA: Lindz, I dont want you to think I am saying that this is your fault, or that by participating in the system unknowingly is your fault either. This system was set up long before any of us were a glimmer in someones eyes. I am just saying that we can all be aware of the benefits our race affords us. That way when someone else gets the racial short end of the stick (someone of color being at the store and having to show three more forms of ID to write a check than a white person), we can call it out. Cause we should. Nothings gonna change till we do.

[hoosier]

How many slaves worked on the Del Boca Vista Retirement Community Phase III?

[hoosier]

Originally posted by lifesaver
Ive seen the gas station thing happen time and time again. I was on road trips in college and my friends of color would ask me to getout and pump, because they knew the shopkeeper would turn on the pump for me. And they always did. When my friends pumped, someone had to go in and pay first.

What about our non-white Asian friends? Do they have to pay in advance?

Maybe they've built up a reputation of trust and honesty, and have earned a good reputation.

Maybe others, who have not built up a reputation of trust and honesty, don't deserve to be trusted.

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by hoosier
What about our non-white Asian friends? Do they have to pay in advance?

I dont know any asians. Well I know this one guy, but we dont hang out. Not cause he's asian, but cause he's a dickhead.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by hoosier
How many slaves worked on the Del Boca Vista Retirement Community Phase III?

None. We're all retired.

-Rudey

[Tom Earp]

Okay, and everyones point is?

Is it any easier for Me being White and owning a small Business, F*** No!

Am I taking advantage of Minoritys, No.

If some dont mind, History is History, it happened.

I dont look at every Minority that comes into My Store as a Robber or a Sex Maniac.

If the Stats Prove who does the crime, then that is the way it is. Dont lay the onus on Me!

I get so Friggen Tired of Being "White" and being accused of all the things that happened to Minoritys!

I get tired of People saying, well the Minoritys just havent had a chance to do better! Bull Shit. They have the chance and dont take the gauntlet up and do it! So, climb off of Your self Rightous asses and do something about it instead of whinning!

[jubilance1922]

Originally posted by Rudey
I think black people should sue France during black history month.

I am willing to help out in any way I can.

-Rudey

Will you help me with the paperwork? I need help.

-Jubilance
--seriously thinking of taking Rudey up on the offer