I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to rain on anyone's parade, but if I see one more image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the misty, air-brushed, reminiscent background of a Photoshopped Barack Obama image as the "Dream" depiction I will scream.
[Oh there's one.]
“AHHHHHHHHH...”
What the hell people? At what point in the "I Have a Dream" speech did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. say anything about his dream or the dream being to have a Black president? Was it implied? Maybe, but the dream is specifically about achieving equality and if you think that President Obama automatically garnered equality for people of color in America you are turning a blind eye and deceiving yourself. WAKE UP!!! and notice I said people of color, Dr. King speaks of equality for all, does that mean if we had a Latino or Asian president that these images would still surface, I don’t know but I hope that's not seen as unrelated.
I didn’t want to say anything because I think of people like my mother, father, my aunts and uncles. Who marched and protested with King. Those people who cry out of happiness for Obama's win (I'm happy but I never cried!). Because they never dreamed they would see an African American President in their lifetime.
I love what Dr. King did, and I love what Barack did and is doing*, but these images are really agitating me. They marginalize both men and more importantly, they marginalize The Struggle. Just the notion that we are done or have even reached the Promised Land is utterly false. When I see this depiction I feel cheated, I feel like we are resting and being lazy America.
It is apparent that society still needs to reach for Dr. King's dream of equality when we have Latino-Americans (or even Latinos for that matter) in our country being murdered for just that, being brown (Ecuadoran Marcello Lucero to name one). Or when you hear (as I have heard from friend, foe, and family) that Latino's are "overrunning" America with their numbers. RACISM! INFURIATING!!! Why are people so concerned with their numbers? Some Black Americans have dismay when the speak of the growing number of Latinos in America. Some worry the census is inaccurately portraying the numbers of each ethnic group. The reason why this is an issue is because White America is somehow seen (and this is actually put into practice) as entitled to more of a voice and representation in this country because they supposedly make up the majority. WHY?
In high school I can remember debating the validity of the existence of affirmative action and Black History Month. In the case of Black History Month some actually argued that we should not celebrate it in protest it marginalizing Black history**. How stupid! I haven't encountered anyone in a long time that has tried to support this argument, but my gut makes me think they are still out there. After all, I am not the only one that has encountered people who think like this. (My predominantly white, conservative, affluent, township school in Indiana refused to even make mention of Black History Month on the morning announcements. When I asked them to do so, they refused. When I asked why, they said it wasn’t necessary. Haters.) Even still, why would I give up the little bit of acknowledgment that Black History month affords because in truth MORE is warranted? I wouldn't. That's not even logical (there’s an adage about baby and bathwater that fits well). If I want a slice of pie, but I can only manage to take a forkful of it on Monday, I take a forkful, then on Tuesday I try to take another forkful, however thwarted I am or how much obstacle is in the way of me and my pie, I still got a forkful and that's one less forkful I need to attain to get my whole slice. You have to chip away at prejudice, and racism, and sexism, and classism, and inequality. Chip chip chip, its an elephant and you eat an elephant one bite at a time.
Mai President is Black [* why I “love” OB]
So far, so good. I am thrilled that President Obama will be keeping his Blackberry. This device has often be uncouthly referred to as the Crackberry (implications are obvious). As a lover of gadgets, I'm thrilled to think of the president as a tech savvy, PDA toting, genius.
Bravo for shutting down Guantanamo bay in a year. This sends an anti-bully image to others around the world. First sitting Prez to have a Blackberry, down with Gitmo (recently Iraqi prisoners were handed over to Iraqi officials), not wearing his suit jacket in the oval office, “there are white people, and then there are motherfuckers like you”- OB on confronting racism in his Hawaiian youth, his acceptance of non-believers, the list goes on and one, - Fox News is right, OB is radical, the best, grassroots, up from down, kind of radial anyone could hope to be :)
**(No doubt Black History Month is underplayed, however many don’t even know there is a national Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15- October15.)
(My President is Black is an allusion to a Young Jeezy song, if you haven’t hear/read it Google/Youtube it.)
“Black History is Everyone’s History. Enjoy... Uhuru! Hotep!” - mrs.Mai
I do not support Black History Month because it goes against what MLK JR stood for. We don't have a hispanic history month, or a white history month? so if we don't and we do have a black history month, then we are not equal in every way. Don't give me the BS that your people have been "put through enough" and that "you deserve it after everything" because once again, you play the race card and you can't play the race card and be for equality.
Full full writings and ideas see TravisMcCrea.com
You can be a liberal republican, you can be a conservative democrat... just letting you know.
There seems to be a ridiculous double standard when dealing with race related issues in America. Too many people across our country just don't understand what equality is. As far as Affirmative Action goes, why would any good American support it? From reading the hiring policy of some companies, some "equal opportunity" programs are so ridiculous and insulting to Americans of all sort. Next thing you know they're going to be using a brown to white paint sample strip to precisely measure how much help one needs. It's racist and absurd. How are we supposed to all be equal if affirmative action and diversity programs continue to separate us by color of skin?
In the original blog, the author says "Bravo for shutting down Guantanimo (which should be spelled as Guantanamo) bay in a year. This sends an anti-bully image to others around the world."
Obama's closing of the terrorist prison sends more of a "We're going to give into leftist European and U.N. influence and assure the terrorists that we're not bad people." It is foolish for Obama to be concerned about the well-being and rights of a few terrorist thugs than all the other pressing issues that need to be addressed. Obama's first two big moves as President were to order the terrorist holding facility to be closed to show the world that we're weak, and spend a trillion tax-payer dollars that the federal government does not have in order to recover a faltering economy. The American people have sunk to a new low when their obsession with Lord Obama resulted in the guy being president of the U.S.
We don't have a hispanic history month... Don't give me the BS that your people have been "put through enough" and that "you deserve it after everything"
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15-October 15th. And who are you quoting here? Certainly not this essay.
Een with a hispanic heretiage month, we are still leaving out white history. I also don't know any asian history or any other races... sorry that I mentioned one that you had already posted...
You are TOTALLY missing the point though, its not about ____ history... its about "Human History" or "American History".
Full full writings and ideas see TravisMcCrea.com
You can be a liberal republican, you can be a conservative democrat... just letting you know.
we are still leaving out white history. I also don't know any asian history or any other races...
You are TOTALLY missing the point though, its not about ____ history... its about "Human History" or "American History".
1. scroll down
2. find Mjh7's comment called 365!
3. READ IT!
4. You will find February is Black American History Month
March is Women's History Month/Irish American History Month
April is Arab American History Month
May is Asian American History Month
September is Latino Heritage Month
and November is Native American History Month
You are missing the point. The reasons for these History Months is to acknowledge histories and cultures that have gone long under-acknowledged. What facet of your purposed White History Month is currently being neglected in American History? NONE! once again, I will say YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT. Yes u r correct in that we should be able to cover all these under American History, that would be ideal. However, we live in a world were that is not happening. Are you going to tell me it is? In schools? In media? Are you going to tell me there is equality of acknowledgment across the board? HA! That's a joke. Until full equality is reached, you want us to abandon the little bit of acknowledgment that we get? HA! H
I bet you don't know shit about what MLK stood for. The man's name is not a buzzword to be thrown around so you can win an argument. Without King, there is still black history so it hardly matters what he stood for. He was a great man, but only one man. That was a lame argument.
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We're all intellectual young Americans sharing our ideas and learning from other on ProgressiveU.org so how about joining the club? I expect the people on this site to be the more intellectual block of older teenagers and people in their twenties. The fact that we care about what is going on in the world and are willing to think about and discuss politics is why we're at ProgressiveU.org. So it would be marvelous if you could actually address what teamcoltra said rather than make emotionally charged statements. I am willing to bet that you are plenty smart enough to replace "I bet you don't know shit about what MLK stood for." with a more appropriate and intellectual statement. You have no way of knowing how much "shit" teamcoltra knows about Dr. King and his accomplishments and inspirational words.
I don't see anything in teamcoltra's comment that signals his use of Dr. King as a "buzzword" to "win an argument." Also, what do you mean that it hardly matters what Dr. King stood for? Do you disagree with the principle that he stood for? If you do I would be open to hearing an explanation as to why you disagree with Dr. King's principles. But you need to first make a coherent argument if I am to read it. I'm a good reader but I can't read something that hasn't been written. I'd like to hear why you have a certain point of view and I am pretty sure that you can appropriately tell us without baseless accusations and word's like "shit."
... it would be marvelous if you could actually address what teamcoltra said rather than make emotionally charged statements...Also, what do you mean that it hardly matters what Dr. King stood for? Do you disagree with the principle that he stood for?
You're argument is wrong.
I do not support Black History Month because it goes against what MLK JR stood for.
Without King, there is still black history so it hardly matters what he stood for. He was a great man, but only one man.
Meke's response doesn't suggest he doesn't support the ethnic equality that Dr. King "stood"/ marched/ fought/ protested for. It seems to me that Meke is saying that even with Dr. King's principles aside, Black History Month none the less has it's valuable place because Black History is much much much more than Dr. Kings illustrious legacy. Duh... Very true Meke. In truth I think that having to make that fact known is evidence that Black History Month is not living up to its potential (or breaking through the prejudices and obstacles placed by those who fight it). Sooo many think that Dr. King is the end all be all for the Black community. Fallacy!!! And I'm glad we know it. This in no way diminishes Dr. King. It just takes pressure off his image.
(King, Rosa Parks, and Harriett Tubman- that's ALL anyone needs to know about Black History- right?)
H
Thanks.
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Let's make one thing clear. The words I use to express myself say very little about my intellectual or argumentative ability. So I'll continue to use words like "shit" whenever I feel they fit. That has nothing to do with my argument. In the real world, people curse. Smart people, dumb people, and all in between curse.
Also, what do you mean that it hardly matters what Dr. King stood for?
I mean what I said. Do you think the history of Blacks begins and ends with MLK? If you reread my post and the few sentences that came after my atatement about King you'll see exactly what I mean,
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Well you are extremely frustrating. Why don't you address some of the real issues that I've written about? Why do you address my comment about your use of the word "shit" but little else? When you say "I bet you don't know shit about . . . " it really detracts from any good point you may be making. I wouldn't have said anything had there been even a few words actually making an argument accompanying the word "shit." The words you use may not say much about your argumentative ability but your lack of words do.
I won't lose any sleep over you continuing to curse as you feel fit so go ahead and curse as much as you want. I would hope that you are going to address some important things or at least give me something else to address but I'm not getting my hopes up. Some things may never happen and that may be one of them.
I did adress what you wrote. I thought my comment summed up the gist of your point and others wrote pretty much what i was going to say to you. I'll retract the "I bet you don't know shit." But the way in which teamcoltra uses King's legacy to make his point shows that he and King are/were on different thought waves. Martin Luther King Jr. was not so simplistic as to think that racism was some problem that would go away by everyone just pretending that the slate can be wiped clean. This argument that there should be no Black history month demonstrates childish thinking. Racism is a complex issue. I believe the statement he made was "Black history goes against everything King stood for." From what i know about King, I think that statement is completely erroneous. Part of the reason he fought was because Blacks were treated like 2nd class citizens. Part of that was that our history was not taught. And today, for the most part our history is not taught (unless you think black history is slavery and nothing more). He would have very much been for black history month (formerly black history week, formerly nonexistent). He would have seen the value in a time set aside for learning about the history of black people, especially for black kids who go through school and life mostly learning that all blacks were only ever slaves. THAT is why I think teamcoltra didn't know shit about what King stood for. He seems to think that King cared not about the complexities of racism and the way it permeates every facet of society. People back in his day thought that Blacks were playing the race card because we wanted to be treated equally under the law (since we weren't slaves anymore). And now people think we're playing it because we want equal inclusion in history (since we're "equal" under the law now).
Remember, even Satan can quote scripture.
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I would like to commend you for pointing out the falsehood in the Dr. King Dream fulfillment through Brack Obama's Presidency. I think in reality it's just a ploy to sell t-shirts and airtime. It's also points to the larger problem that you speak of with Black History Month, There is no real commitment to freedom. The overall tone is " We're done now we never have to work hard for freedom and equality ever again."
The "History Months" are a prime example of it. Oppressed people in the United States all have their history marginalized to certain parts of the year, rather than having their history incorporated into the course work so that a new generation of children (and adults) can receive a genuine education about the history of the world and their country as opposed to the traditional white supremacist capitalist patriarchal history that we've had for decades now.
This attitude is most reflected in people who think that the 19 school days that children spend learning a limited amount of information about the history of Blacks in America is some how an advantage or form of "reparations". When in reality it's just a reminder of how The United States still views it's non-"white male landowning" citizens as second class, special interests groups who should be grateful to get spoken about at all. Meanwhile Black History Month (the most visible of the "History Months") only recycles the same elementary information about the same people and the only people who benefit are corporations who can use Black History Month to sell merchandise to consumers.
I challenge any of the Black History Month critics, whether they view the month as a bonus for Blacks or as a poor consolation prize, to name me any information about the historical contribution of Black Americans that they didn't learn through some sort of Black History lesson, poster, or place mat. It's sad that we still allow this oppressive system to mis-educate us and our children. We continue to send American people of all colors, religions, and ethnicities out in to the world culturally ignorant and with the attitude that they need not know anything that doesn't look like them. We just reinforce the alienation of one another, Not to mention that we deprive Americans of knowledge of self, instead of all Americans being able to celebrate our inventions, our contributions, and strides for freedom and democracy, we cover up and leave out some of the greatest contributors to our nation because they don't fit the White, Male, Land Owner mold.
We who are seriously dedicated to freedom have to always stay awake, and use these history months as tools to open up our schools and make integration a real, two way street, Those of us on the sidelines of freedom can take delight in the fact that these history months provide a convenient moment in your schedule to make up for where your history classes have failed you.
February is Black American History Month
March is Women's History Month/Irish American History Month
April is Arab American History Month
May is Asian American History Month
September is Latino Heritage Month
and November is Native American History Month
All of these occur within the school year, have fun getting educated. Know yourself America!
Love-Health-Awareness-Wealth
Mjh
Oppressed people in the United States all have their history marginalized to certain parts of the year, rather than having their history incorporated...
I totally agree. but instead of just incorporated into school, just incorporated into history! American history in regards to Blacks is about the slave trade and the civil rights movement. And people who think that is all fine and good are ignorant. (stupid bigots as well)
...people who think that the 19 school days that children spend learning a limited amount of information about the history of Blacks in America is some how an advantage or form of "reparations" ... Meanwhile Black History Month (the most visible of the "History Months") only recycles the same elementary information about the same people and the only people who benefit are corporations who can use Black History Month to sell merchandise to consumers.
Like McDonalds lol. Bravo, you are soo right. I can't stand people who want to act like we should ignore our differences. Like they aren't significant. Actually being treated differently because of our diversity should get the scrutiny. Celebrate the differences but dont punish because of them. Duh... I love the differences! Culture is the shit!!!
It's sad that we still allow this oppressive system to mis-educate us and our children.
Right, being a living example that all cultures need to highlighted all the time is one way that we can combat that oppressive system, but I think many educators (family and friends included) are lazy and ignorant themselves to culture.
Thank you for the dates of the other History Months. I can guarantee you that most that read this is going to find at least 2 that they didnt know existed. But will they care? That's the real question.
If our differences are so significant than why can't I make an argument that I'm better than you because the color of my skin is lighter or vice versa? You say that people who think it is all fine and good are stupid ignorant bigots but why? What's wrong with being positive about things? People aren't "ignorant stupid bigots" just because they don't share your pessimistic point of view. I feel like you will never acknowledge the fairness, equality, and tolerance that is a part of U.S. culture but unheard of in many parts of the world. Am I wrong?
I am a huge fan of Dr. King and it almost brings me to tears when I read about the wonderful work that he did and watch him make his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Despite accusations about sexual misconduct, I honestly think Dr. King was one of the most altruistic people ever to walk the earth. Dr. King, with the help of his supporters, made the U.S. a better country for everybody and I admire him for that. He was the right man at the right time. It disappoints me to see people stray so far from Dr. King's hopes and dreams and the principles that he ultimately sacrificed his life for. Dr. King answered a calling and willingly risked (and ultimately gave) his life so that future generations could live in peace and harmony. Dr. King lived in Chicago and could have very well ignored the plight of many Americans who lived in the South in pursuit of a better life for himself - but he didn't. One of my favorite qoutes by Dr. King comes from his "I Have a Dream" speech. He said "I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood." Let's honor that dream and do all we can to ensure that Dr. King did not give his life in vain. I will never be the man that Dr. King was but I will always strive to live by the highest principles. Although everything Dr. King has said in his inspirational speeches is good, the one line that can sum up his message and hopes for America quite simply is, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Obviously Dr. King meant this for his children's whole generation and those to follow. It's not that hard a concept to grasp and I'm baffled as to why Dr. King's teachings are not embraced more in our modern day world. Drastic improvements in human relations and quality of life for all people took place since his days but I think we can do a little more. No?
If our differences are so significant than why can't I make an argument that I'm better than you because the color of my skin is lighter or vice versa?
You're argument's idea of ethnic differences is narrow, shallow, pessimistic, and limited. Skin color? Let's go a bit deeper and mature. Significant cultural differences can easily be observed in language, food, dance, religion, dress, features, art!!!
Are you arguing that places like the California African American Museum, Milwaukee's Black Holocaust Museum, or Indianapolis' Eiteljorg Museum are somehow out of place or insignificant?
People aren't "ignorant stupid bigots" just because they don't share your pessimistic point of view.
You're argument makes it seem like you are not paying attention. I used those adjectives to describe those who box Black History to encompass the slave trade and the civil rights movement solely. Does that describe your views of Black History? I hope not. Because those who dont consider Black inventors, artists, scientists, doctors, activists, and trailblazers as valuable parts of Black History and indeed American history are in fact ignorant, stupid, bigots in their views.
"Assimilation does not help America be beautiful"- mrs.Mai
good post. These other two posters pretty much have what I was going to say covered. To all those who hate black history month, they must remember that it is the exception that proves the rule.
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I personally don't hate black history month... I think that its raceist. Just like the people that think its okay to still cheer black power.
Basically if you signify it by race... it is racist... unless its a unique identifier (ie. there is a room full of people and only one white person... its fine to say "the white person" in my opinion, as long as you are not belittling that person)
Unless of course, you guys are okay with a white history month, and me chanting white power?
Full full writings and ideas see TravisMcCrea.com
You can be a liberal republican, you can be a conservative democrat... just letting you know.
Black Power! The history of this term was intended (and is still used) to represent one of the Black Power Party for Self Defense's beliefs. And that was that each Black Community should have the power and ability to support itself and to have pride in their heritage. Therefore Black busnisess, recycling money within the community, community members helping each other to feed, clothe, shelter, educate, provide healthcare for each other.
Actually, they believed that EVERY community (keep in mind this also comes from an era when living communities were much less intergrated than now) should have the power, ability, and influence to support themselves and have pride in themselves. Brown power to the Brown people, White power to the White people, etc so forth and so on.
Now "White Power" in the sense that it is most commonly used is by supremacist. Those who think they are better than others based on ethnicity. "Black power" was not meant to invoke the idea of supremacy.
Educate yourself. H
It think you make a good point by saying that "Black Power" principles are different than "White Power" principles. Personally I think both groups are dangerous and wrong. "Black Power" movement does not focus on supremacy over other racial groups but they advocate hatred, separation of races, and in some cases violence. Interestingly, like you said, there is no goal of supremacy in the traditional "Black Power" or even modern day equivalents. "White Supremacists" are not only violent, hateful, supportive of racial segregation but they also advocate that they are supreme. That is a very interesting observation, thanks for sharing that one with us.