Opinions: Ending Black History month

 by Rob Wright
 published on Monday, March 3, 2008

Let me preface my discussion by saying that this has nothing to do with recognizing black people as important figures in history. I support that wholeheartedly.

The problem we face here is that the concept of observing February as Black History Month is, while well-intentioned, racist. We have set apart an entire month of the calendar toward focusing only on historical black people. They are being singled out, and the very act of singling a group out creates prejudiced feelings in other groups involved.

This means that we have to ask an important question: Now that February is gone, what about the rest of the year? Are we not supposed to remember or care about black historical figures when it isn't Black History Month? Why wouldn't we? Why, as a culture, do we not remind ourselves constantly about our important historical figures, regardless of their race?

Instead of doing that, we point out the differences. We give them a cultural distinction, which separates them. We aren't segregating people by seating or schooling, but by month. Black History Month does not promote equality; it reminds people of the unimportant difference of skin color. We've created the concept of "Black History."

I will not pretend to ignore what Black History Month is meant to do; it is meant to draw attention to an issue that needs addressing. It is meant to remind us of the people who took a country on the wrong path and put it on the right one, people who overcame a great deal of prejudice to do so. Unfortunately, it does not draw the right kind of attention. Instead of being a ubiquitous reminder of a sordid past, we are left to feel that a month is enough attention for people who have accomplished great things and left their mark on our culture. What use is that? It is absurd to say, "You have changed the very way people think and perceive the world. Have a month."

In fact, Black History Month can have the opposite effect. If February is set as Black History Month, then what are the other 11 months? Do they get divvied out to other races? Are they White History Months? Are they Hispanic History Months?

We can see how ludicrous that would be, and this is the other side of the problem. No other ethnicity has its own month.

If we are trying to promote equality, then what good does it do us to give special attention to a particular ethnicity? Why do black people have the only month devoted to their own history? This kind of thing can cause resentment and divisiveness, the very thing we want to avoid.

So, how about we have American History Month instead, and unify people based on patriotism, rather than call attention to them based on race?

Think of the benefits of that. We can strengthen people's awareness of and unity within the American culture without drawing attention to race. If people want to identify based on race, that will be their choice; but instead of thinking, "He was a great African-American" or "She was a great Hispanic woman," people will think, "That person was a great American whom I identify with."

If you find the topic distasteful and disagree with everything I've written, then at least agree with me on this: if we aren't ever going to get rid of Black History Month, then we need to move it. Right now, it's on the shortest month of the year.

If you want to rationally discuss sensitive issues, Rob Wright can be reached at: robert.t.wright@asu.edu.