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Americans Divided Over Black History Month (MSN Asks: Do We Need It?)
MSN ^ | 2/19/07

Posted on 02/19/2007 9:22:51 AM PST by Mr. Brightside

A poll of almost 10,000 Americans conducted in January shows there is no consensus on the topic of Black History Month. The survey, conducted by MSN and Zogby International, found that 43 percent of Americans believe setting one month of the year to focus on a racially defined observance is a token gesture, while 39 percent say that is an opportunity to raise awareness of African-American history and accomplishments (18 percent are not sure).

Is it, as one scholar wrote in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, "simply a guilt-driven public relations scam to pacify blacks who otherwise receive no attention on the bread and butter issues of education, jobs, and health care?"

African-Americans have varying opinions on the issue, too. The poll found that 28 percent feel that dedicating only February to black history is a token gesture. Celebrities Morgan Freeman and Bill Cosby have spoken out against it. "I don't want a black history month," Freeman said on 60 Minutes. "Black history is American history."

More and more, African-American scholars are beginning to resent the fact that in February "their opinions are sought out, and then they are ignored the rest of the year. … Some black scholars refuse to lecture in February because of that," Slater says.

(Excerpt) Read more at men.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bhm; blackhistorymonth; quotas; racism; selfesteembooster; shortestmonth; simonschama
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To: Mr. Brightside
Do We Need Black History Month?
Let's hear it: What do you think?

It's a great reminder to stock up on bazooka ammunition for the loud rap music in heavy traffic...

21 posted on 02/19/2007 9:39:20 AM PST by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: ZeitgeistSurfer
We desperately need an "American History Month" instead of the current Black History Month. It's shocking how little of our history and traditions are known or understood by most Americans.

Correct. Here is the last paragraph of the article to back you up.

The bigger problem, according to many, is the American public's lack of knowledge of history overall. "Stop asking whether there's too much black history and start grappling with the fact that there's too little American history," Scott says.

22 posted on 02/19/2007 9:41:49 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
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To: Fairview
There's more to it than peanut butter.

Hey, I didn't make the peanut butter comment!

23 posted on 02/19/2007 9:42:39 AM PST by T. Buzzard Trueblood ("left unchecked, Saddam Hussein...will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." Sen. Hillary Clinton)
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To: Mr. Brightside

What a stupid poll!! The choices of answers are idiotic - they don't even have "I'm against it".... and we know why.


24 posted on 02/19/2007 9:43:00 AM PST by aquila48
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To: Leftism is Mentally Deranged
When will White History Month be proclaimed?

These are all liberal lets-make-ourselves-feel-good by telling everyone how much we like peoples who don't look like us (white liberal males) programs. Identify and separate out people by race, religion, how and/or what one has sex with, etc. It's racist, etc.

25 posted on 02/19/2007 9:44:41 AM PST by 69ConvertibleFirebird (Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.)
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To: pillut48
an Asian History Month, a Brown History Month, etc., shouldn't there?

Already is. At NASA I believe Asian History Month is September. Celebrate Homosexuality Month is all of July.

26 posted on 02/19/2007 9:46:31 AM PST by 69ConvertibleFirebird (Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.)
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To: Mr. Brightside
From the article:

"It's February, and the annual debate has begun. The subject of Black History Month becomes the centerpiece of many a water-cooler conversation."

No, not really. The companies where I worked were always populated by all races and religions, etc., and I never heard anyone, Black, White, or otherwise, ever mention it at all.

Kind of like Kwanzaa.

Real people, working real jobs and leading productive lives, raising children, making contributions, and paying taxes, have no time for that nonsense. They are BUSY. As a Black neighbor of mine used to say, "There is ONE color that matters in this country: GREEN".

The people who do have time to be so concerned are just desperately trying to create issues with which to fill their dying newspapers and time slots- That, or they are growing moss at their desks in Cambridge and other such places.

27 posted on 02/19/2007 9:52:45 AM PST by Gorzaloon (Global Warming: A New Kind Of Scientology for the Rest Of Us.)
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To: lormand

Re#16 The best post yet!!! One day may be TOOOOOO much.


28 posted on 02/19/2007 9:53:44 AM PST by Plains Drifter (America First, Last, and Always!!!)
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To: T. Buzzard Trueblood
I know you didn't. I just meant--my God, the people who are responsible for teaching black history make it SO BORING. All we ever hear about is peanut butter, Sojourner Truth, lynchings, and Martin Luther King. Over and over and over again every year. One could gag. No wonder no white person wants to hear about it every February. It seems designed to make blacks obsess about victimhood.

But there's a lot of material out there that's fascinating. Recently I have read two good books about slavery, the Dutch historian Simon Schama's Rough Crossings and Fergus Bordewich's Bound for Canaan. Reading about the role of blacks in American history can be quite interesting.

29 posted on 02/19/2007 9:55:15 AM PST by Fairview ( Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.)
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To: Mr. Brightside

I think there should be something to remember what the folks who suffered went through as it was a painful time in our country- but a whole month? Have a day to remember it, teach why it was wrong in scools, perhaps have a day of teaching tolorance for EVERYONE to our kids- .

The following link is a signature link and does not relate to this thread http://sacredscoop.com


30 posted on 02/19/2007 9:55:30 AM PST by CottShop
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To: Mr. Brightside

It has been my experience that the black children in our public schools are tired of being reminded that they came from slaves. I once proposed a Black Future Month at my school - have black professionals come in and talk to the students about how they reached their goals. Nobody was interested.


31 posted on 02/19/2007 10:00:11 AM PST by abclily
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To: Fairview
When I was a kid we never heard about black history so I think it's good it's been pushed into the public eye a little more.

How cute.
Perhaps you shouldn't be stoned in class.

I heard of Carver and Morgan both in and out of classes. I have probably forgotten most of the notable black inventors but, I've also forgotten most white inventors, too.

32 posted on 02/19/2007 10:01:02 AM PST by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: CottShop
Have a day to remember it, teach why it was wrong in scools, perhaps have a day of teaching tolorance for EVERYONE to our kids- .

We already have that. Martin Luther King Day. A National Holiday when most schools are closed.

Go figure...

33 posted on 02/19/2007 10:02:37 AM PST by digger48
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To: T. Buzzard Trueblood

I'm 57 and still addicted to PBJ's and Peanut Butter and Frito sandwiches.

This month I'll have them on black bread.

1/2 sarc...


34 posted on 02/19/2007 10:02:43 AM PST by Loud Mime (“War’s very object is victory, not prolonged indecision." Gen Douglas Mac Arthur)
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To: abclily
It has been my experience that the black children in our public schools are tired of being reminded that they came from slaves.

But they never get tired of being reminded that they are grossly over-represented in welfare, illegitimacy, carjackers, muggers, pimps, robbers, murderers, rappers and loud obnoxious car stereos?

What's up with that?

35 posted on 02/19/2007 10:05:21 AM PST by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Mr. Brightside
This and only this is what we need!

Hear the Words of General Leonard Wood, 1919

the text is below:

Americanization must be taken up earnestly and systematically. America first must be stamped upon every heart. There should be but one language in the public grade schools --the language of the Declaration of Independence, of Abraham Lincoln, of Theodore Roosevelt. A common language is one of the strongest influences for building up a spirit of national solidarity.

We must emphasize that hand in hand, with equality of privilege and opportunity, goes equality of obligation in war and in peace, in fair weather and in storm.

There is no room in this country for any flag except our own. There is no room for the Red flag. It is opposed to everything our government stands for. It stands for anarchy, chaos, and ruin. Smash it!

True liberty is found within the law. Law and order are the foundation on which rests business, confidence, and prosperity, without which there cannot be prosperous labor conditions, and without these we cannot have increased efficiency, and that increased production which is a great remedy for the high cost of living.

The war is over. We are confronted with the problems of peace, and organization for the extension of our trade. We must spread the war burden over a longer period of years. We must relieve business of any taxation, which strangles enterprise. We must look to the establishment of a merchant marine, the maintenance of a small but highly efficient army and a first-class, every-ready navy, and the development of a sound policy of national defense -- a policy which places the obligation of service in war squarely upon all classes of our citizens.

This country must never be allowed to fall into such a condition of helplessness that it cannot immediately become a force for right. We want peace. We believe in arbitration. We shall have more of peace, and more successful arbitration, if we are not only just and righteous, but also strong. We must be prepared to meet the organized strength of wrong with a [desperate] strength of right.

We must cultivate the spirit of service and sacrifice. The motto of every American should be: I serve. In considering the questions of labor and property, we should remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: "Let not him who hath no house pull down the house of his neighbor, but rather let him industriously strive to build one for himself, thus by example, showing confidence that his own, when built, shall stand.

"Let us do all we can to help labor. Give it a square deal -- an honest and generous wage for an honest day's work. Labor is neither a commodity or a chapel; it's human. Let us inject more of the human element into our dealings with labor and with those of others. Remember, you cannot legislate this into the souls of men. Without it, there never can be harmony, cooperation, and the progress we want.

Let us build up an intense American spirit -- not selfish, but helpful to a world in trouble, backed for the right kind of an American conscience. Avoid loose-fibered internationalism as you avoid death, for it means national death. America has a great mission in the world, one, which she can only perform by being a strong, united, upstanding people.

36 posted on 02/19/2007 10:06:29 AM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: ZeitgeistSurfer

Our public schools once had history and geography courses. These two subjects were dropped and replaced with social studies. In social studies our children are taught about different cultures - very little United States history or world geography. As a result, our children know not where they are in time or place.


37 posted on 02/19/2007 10:06:39 AM PST by abclily
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To: Mr. Brightside
Who established Black History Month?

Who would dare end it?

38 posted on 02/19/2007 10:07:27 AM PST by suzyjaruki (Why?)
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To: lormand

The other eleven months are for white history.


39 posted on 02/19/2007 10:08:10 AM PST by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: samadams2000

I'll raise you one.


40 posted on 02/19/2007 10:08:22 AM PST by Bronzy ( Religion of peace? Huh? I hear that every day.)
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