White History Month: A Fair Alternative to Black History Month or an insult

If there is a Black History Month, shouldn’t there be a white history month? Isn’t it only fair? These are just some of the arguments and suggestions that made by critics claim Black History Month is unfair; and that if there is one month favoring Blacks, shouldn’t there just be a month dedicated to whites. Along the same gist as a “white student union,” opponents of these cite that Black History Month excludes non-Blacks and provide a bias among the races, particularly the white race. Are these assessments true? Is Black History Month fair? Is it outdated? What does or did Black History Month Accomplished?

Last summer, a small town in North Carolina, Hope Mills, caused quite a stir. This was due to the White History Month parade, some of its residents created and participated in. This parade had a float, with a John Deere tractor a large wagon filled with watermelons with a “watermelons for sale sign”, a “White History Month sign” and a Confederate flag. This of course caused complaints and curiosity. Is this racist? Is this fair?

Even so, Morgan Freeman, a black American actor, is quoted saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." Is he far off? Is he right? Wrong? Anyway here are common arguments for and Against Black History Month

So let me begin with four arguments against Black History Month.

Black History Month opponents is unfair and bias. Why should blacks get a month devoted to their achievements and accomplishments? How are they more exceptional and special then other races? Whites have a lot of achievements and accomplishments too!!! Why can’t they also get a chance and opportunity to celebrate it? If we are all equal then why should there be a Black History Month without a White History Month?

Black History Month divides, separates and excludes non-blacks from blacks. Like Black Student unions, Black History Month, alienates the outside world. Why do blacks choose to exclude themselves from society and not assimilate? They say they want justice, peace and equality but they don’t do it a productive and logical fashion.

It was cool in the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 60s, 70s and up until more recent times but now its 2014. It is not needed anymore. America isn’t a racist, or biased country anymore. Especially with all the technological improvements and societal improvements we have made. Plus our President (Barack Obama) is Black, isn't that enough?

Dividing things into race, makes it racist. Just like the black student union and affirmative action, Black History month is racist? No one race should have a month of their own? This promotes favoritism and divides people. Its 2014 and we are still talking about and referring to race. Can we get over this and move on? Actually people shouldn't see color anymore. Past race, who sees color anymore?

These are the four arguments for a Black History Month:

Through its origins and history, Black History Month has been a way for blacks to balance out American history and tell their story and how their achievements. A long forgotten, blacked out history of a vibrant race, Black History Month was used a way to cover and fill in the inaccuracies and biases in standard American history. Not only that but Black History Month asks America stop ignoring, to see and acknowledge the history of this important minority group that played and still plays an important part in American History.

In a time of intense social and political changes, Black History Month is meant to uplift blacks and empower blacks and their new found place and ever changing position in America. The precursor to Black History Month, Negro History Week started at a time when first generations of freed, educated blacks were emerging. This created a lot of lost black people with no sense of history and purpose. By the establishment of Black History Month served to show blacks that they are important, worthy, and filled with rich vibrant history and accomplishments. This gives blacks value, even to this day.

Blacks are among the minorities in America and they are already put in a disadvantage position. Especially since the winner gets to write (and tell) history, their stories don’t always get told or the attention that it needs and deserves. For the most part every day is White History. Plus there are more than enough celebration months for whites. October is German-American, Italian-American, and Polish-American Heritage Month. There is also the month of March for Irish-Americans (along with St. Patricks’ Day) and the month of May for Jewish-American Heritage month. Along with that is Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving Day that all celebrate white-American History. Twenty-eight or twenty-nine is nothing compare to all these holidays and heritage months.

Black History Month was also meant as a way to keep a tradition and record the unique experiences of blacks in America. As part of the African Diaspora, many black Americans were displaced and don’t know their specific ethnic origins. Black History Month in the vision of Carter G. Woodson, who stated,

"If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization,” (Carter G Woodson).

This provided a means to create their own history and traditions and to not let displacement, enslavement or discrimination stop their unique legacy.

Overall these are both sides of the “White History Month” debate. Where do you fall in all of this? What are your opinions? Let me know by commenting below. Thank You for reading and have a nice Black History Month.