Poll: Cultural Diversity Month or Black History Month?

[AKA2D '91]

In your area, how is Februrary recognized? Here, at this school, it is Cultural Diversity.

Are we diluting the significance of Black History (American History) by recognizing other notable citizens of color?

[Marie]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
In your area, how is Februrary recognized? Here, at this school, it is Cultural Diversity.

Are we diluting the significance of Black History (American History) by recognizing other notable citizens of color?

Now that you mention it, I have seen other cultures rolled into Black History Month. With the passing of so many significant Black leaders this year, I think that there is a greater focus on African American history than there has been in the past few years. However, I do remember seeing that schools were starting to speak about Latino, Asian, and Native American accomplishments as well. Additionally, in Chicago we have a Black history trivia competition that typically takes place amongst the Chicago high schools. I believe that about two years ago they expanded this to also include the above mentioned cultures.

This certainly is a shame in that, if we can not celebrate the accomplishments of our people year round (as a part of American history) and we can not celebrate them during the month designated to celebrate them, then when on earth can we celebrate them?

[Honeykiss1974]

Its Black History Month here. Other people of color have months where their history/culture is recognized so there is really no REAL reason why it should all be lumped into February.

Reminds me of that Martin Luther King/Rober E Lee Day mess in Virginia.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Are we diluting the significance of Black History (American History) by recognizing other notable citizens of color?

Good question. It's already a sad shame we only get a month (outside of the home) to teach and share our history. But at the same time, like you said, it's AMERICAN history. IDEALly, we should be learning about all these folks anyway. But since we don't, almost every ethnicity has a month (again, that's sad):

Feb: Black folk
Mar: Women folk
May: Asian folk
Sep: Hispanic folk (but it begins on the 15th of the month)
Nov: Native American folk (originated by W's daddy)

So, we shouldn't have to share in February. But we will because who wants to focus on a different colored every month? And then ALL colored and non-colored women folk in March. If we did that, we'd NEVER be able to learn REAL American History.

I guess I said all that to say, yes, we are diluting the significance of Black History.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Ideal08
Good question. It's already a sad shame we only get a month (outside of the home) to teach and share our history. But at the same time, like you said, it's AMERICAN history. IDEALly, we should be learning about all these folks anyway. But since we don't, almost every ethnicity has a month (again, that's sad):

Feb: Black folk
Mar: Women folk
May: Asian folk
Sep: Hispanic folk (but it begins on the 15th of the month)
Nov: Native American folk (originated by W's daddy)

So, we shouldn't have to share in February. But we will because who wants to focus on a different colored every month? And then ALL colored and non-colored women folk in March. If we did that, we'd NEVER be able to learn REAL American History.

I guess I said all that to say, yes, we are diluting the significance of Black History.

[hijack]

Yes, but Black History Month (as it is known in Canada) and Women's History get heck of a lot more publicity than the other months. If you were to ask a random person around here, regardless of culture or gender, they'll probably not be able to tell you that, say, May is Asian History/Heritage Month (hey, I don't even know what it's called!), but they'll be able to tell you that February is Black History Month.


[/hijack]

[mccoyred]

Originally posted by Taualumna
[hijack]

Yes, but Black History Month (as it is known in Canada) and Women's History get heck of a lot more publicity than the other months. If you were to ask a random person around here, regardless of culture or gender, they'll probably not be able to tell you that, say, May is Asian History/Heritage Month (hey, I don't even know what it's called!), but they'll be able to tell you that February is Black History Month.


[/hijack]

Not to be smart but I don't see how that is Black folx or Women folx problem that the other months aren't publicized.

In response to the original question:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Are we diluting the significance of Black History (American History) by recognizing other notable citizens of color?

YES

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
In your area, how is Februrary recognized? Here, at this school, it is Cultural Diversity.

Are we diluting the significance of Black History (American History) by recognizing other notable citizens of color?

WHAT???

It's always been BHM. As someone stated other groups have their months why is ours being watered down? UGH!

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by mccoyred
Not to be smart but I don't see how that is Black folx or Women folx problem that the other months aren't publicized.

It isn't. I'm just sayin'

I"m also wondering why Asian Heritage Month is in May and Hispanic Month in September. The Dragon Boat Festival, which is usually in May or early June, isn't really as big a deal as say, the Lunar New Year (late January to mid February) or the Mid-Autumn Festival (aka the Moon Festival), which occurs in SEPTEMBER. All of these festivals get as much, if not more publicity than Black History Month up here (and DEFINITELY more than Asian Heritage Month, which barely is mentioned...not that many people really care anyway)

I'm not familiar with Latin American cultures, but what festival is in September?

[Marie]

Originally posted by Taualumna
It isn't. I'm just sayin'

I"m also wondering why Asian Heritage Month is in May and Hispanic Month in September. The Dragon Boat Festival, which is usually in May or early June, isn't really as big a deal as say, the Lunar New Year (late January to mid February) or the Mid-Autumn Festival (aka the Moon Festival), which occurs in SEPTEMBER. All of these festivals get as much, if not more publicity than Black History Month up here (and DEFINITELY more than Asian Heritage Month, which barely is mentioned...not that many people really care anyway)

I'm not familiar with Latin American cultures, but what festival is in September?

I could be wrong, but I'm not sure that the months were selected based upon significant festivals that pertain to that culture.

I know that Februrary was selected in deference to Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in that month.

From what I've read May was selected for Asian Heritage Month for the following reason: to "commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants."

And September was selected for Hispanic Heritage month b/c it "commemorates the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. "

Hope this clears things up.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Marie
I could be wrong, but I'm not sure that the months were selected based upon significant festivals that pertain to that culture.

I know that Februrary was selected in deference to Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in that month.

From what I've read May was selected for Asian Heritage Month for the following reason: to "commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants."

But that really has nothing to do with many immigrants (especially Chinese immigrants) who came AFTER the railroads were built. Maybe that's why it isn't as recognized as individual ethnic festivals such as the Lunar New Year.

[Marie]

Originally posted by Taualumna
But that really has nothing to do with many immigrants (especially Chinese immigrants) who came AFTER the railroads were built. Maybe that's why it isn't as recognized as individual ethnic festivals such as the Lunar New Year.

I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused about your point. Are you saying that you don't want to celebrate Asian Heritage Month b/c you don't care for its placement on the calendar?

I realize that there are many other important days/events at other times of the year that are significant to Asians (just like there are other times of the year that are important to African Americans besides February), but it just so happens to be recognized in May. Whomever selected this month, selected it for the reasons noted above. Does the fact that it isn't all inclusive nullify it for you and prevent you from celebrating your heritage in May? I just don't understand what problem is or how it relates to diversifying Black History Month.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Marie
I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused about your point. Are you saying that you don't want to celebrate Asian Heritage Month b/c you don't care for its placement on the calendar?

I realize that there are many other important days/events at other times of the year that are significant to Asians (just like there are other times of the year that are important to African Americans besides February), but it just so happens to be recognized in May. Whomever selected this month, selected it for the reasons noted above. Does the fact that it isn't all inclusive nullify it for you and prevent you from celebrating your heritage in May? I just don't understand what problem is or how it relates to diversifying Black History Month.

I just don't know of too many people who make Asian Heritage Month a big deal (in the sense the Lunar New Year or Black History Month is made a "big deal"), that's all. I guess I should have said that earlier.

[Obsession8]

I pretty much co-sign on what everyone has already said (that it is and should remain Black History Month). In Alaska (where I'm "from"), the MLK Holiday is called Alaska Civil Rights Day. I'm not sure of how that came about (I heard a long time ago that some Alaska Native leaders had something to do with it; point of 411: Native American/Alaska Native Heritage Month is November {as Ideal08 mentioned}), but I'm a bit offended by it. I have the belief that the beauty in what makes us the same as human beings is that we are all different. I don't see harm in celebrating that (esp. when some *still* won't see that all minorities' history is indeed American history). I'm a realist; we're not all the same. And, I don't think that necessarily promotes racism or separatist attitudes. The celebration of these different months hopefully helps us see and learn things about each other that we never have (i.e. in school, even in college ) and/or probably never would if not given the opportunity.

Just my $19.08 worth.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Taualumna
But that really has nothing to do with many immigrants (especially Chinese immigrants) who came AFTER the railroads were built.

And February has nothing to do with the Black folk that came AFTER Carver, Douglass, and Lincoln. It is what it is. I mean, the fact that we are divvying (sp?) calendar months to recognize and celebrate folks' heritages is absurd, Ok? So trying to figure out what's included, what's not, is it all inclusive, who got left out, is it recognized more than the next . . . that's all absurd, too. I mean, think about it: we are designating months to learn about folk that should just be included in the American History book anyway. I know you are not trying to gain an understanding on something so FUBARed in the first place.

[Alouette]

Originally posted by Taualumna
I just don't know of too many people who make Asian Heritage Month a big deal (in the sense the Lunar New Year or Black History Month is made a "big deal"), that's all. I guess I should have said that earlier.

That would probably depend on where you live. In Hawaii it is a BIG deal.

I remember seeing specials on PBS last May in celebration of Asian Heritage Month, but sometimes PBS programming is localized.