Black Voices

Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Opinion

This is a new section that will feature questions that black students may deal with on campus or where readers can submit questions they have always had about the black experience in America.


"Why is it that we take time out every February to celebrate Black History Month? It seems that it just brings up hardships of slavery once again. And why should we just celebrate blacks? Isn't it rather discriminatory not to have a month to celebrate the history of whites in this country?" - Perplexed Trojan

Dear Trojan…

Instead of asking me to cure your ignorance of why Black History Month exists, maybe you should pick up a book or get your Google Scholar on…

Black History Month is a time for observance, acknowledgement and celebration of worldly accomplishments of African Americans. This month is not simply a time to reiterate the hardships and freedom battles of legends like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. This month signifies a time to also praise the contributions of America's unsung black heroes.

Take for instance Benjamin Bradley, a slave born in 1830. Bradley was employed at a printing office and later at the Annapolis Naval Academy, where he helped set up scientific experiments. In the late 1840s he developed a steam engine prototype for a battle ship. Unable to patent his work he sold the prototype and purchased his freedom with the proceeds.

History books barely covered black history when the tradition of Black History Month started in 1976. At that point, most representation of blacks in history books was only in reference to the low social position we had.

In regards to your concerns with a type of "White History Month"…EVERY month EXCEPT February is White History Month. And with Presidents' Day in the mix we can't even have the whole 28 days to ourselves (that is until Obama wins…). As far as I'm concerned Black History Month is necessary until black history is integrated into classrooms as "American" instead of "Black" history. America's foundation was built off the blood and sweat equity of millions of African Americans; after 200 somethin' years it's crucial America continue to give credit to where credit is due.

Negrostotle X

If you have a question for Negrostotle X or had someone ask you a question you think Negrostole can tackle, e-mail it to us a bvoices@usc.edu. Place "Negrostole" in the subject line.

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