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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: Constitution Day
I hope Eddie wins the Best Supporting Actor Oscar this year.
41 posted on 02/19/2007 10:18:27 AM PST by Cecily
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To: digger48

mission accomplished then, let's move on


42 posted on 02/19/2007 10:20:00 AM PST by CottShop
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To: suzyjaruki

[Who established Black History Month?
Who would dare end it?]

Michael Richards


43 posted on 02/19/2007 10:20:47 AM PST by CottShop
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To: Mr. Brightside

No. In my kids' school, it just provides a month long opportunity for racist black teachers to snipe at U.S. history.


44 posted on 02/19/2007 10:23:49 AM PST by aruanan
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To: SandRat

Some may have seen or heard this.

As an aside. Isn't it ironic that some take the day off from work or school to honor MLK?

> Can't Blame White People
> by Bill Cosby
>
> They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English.
> I can't even talk the way these people talk:
> Why you ain't,Where you is,
> What he drive, Where he stay,
> Where he work, Who you be...
> And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk.
> And then I heard the father talk
> Everybody knows it's important to speak English...
> except these knuckleheads.
> Mushmouth is what they speak!?
> You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth.
> In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living.
> People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an education,
> and now we've got these knuckleheads throwing that all away?
> The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal.
> These people are not parenting.
> They are buying things for kids. $500 sneakers for what?
> And they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.
> I am talking about these people who cry
> when their son is standing there in an orange suit.
> Where were you when he was 2?
> Where were you when he was 12?
> Where were you when he was 18?
> And, how come you didn't know that he had a pistol?
> And where is the father?
> Or who is his father?
> People putting their clothes on backward:
> Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong?
> People with their hats on backward,
> pants down around the crack,
> isn't that a sign of something?
> They're walking around with their nasty underwear showing, and
> holding onto their pants to keep them from falling to the ground!
> Or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up?
> Isn't it a sign of something
> when she has her dress all the way up to her panty line,
> and got all types of needle piercings
> going through her body?
> What part of Africa did this come from?
> We are not Africans.
> Those people are not Africans;
> they don't know a thing about Africa.
> With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and
> all of them are in jail.
> Brown or black versus the Board of Education
> is no longer the white person's problem.
> We have got to take the neighborhood back.
> People used to be ashamed.
> Today a woman has eight children
> with eight different 'husbands' --
> or men or whatever you call them now.
> We have millionaire football players
> who cannot read.
> We have million-dollar basketball players
> who can't write two paragraphs.</ FONT>
> We as black folks have to do a better job.
> Someone working at Wal-Mart
> with seven kids saying...
> you are hurting us.
> We have to start holding each other
> to a higher standard.
> We cannot blame the white people any longer.
> It is not for media or anyone of this time
> anymore to say whether I'm right or wrong.
> It is time, ladies and gentlemen,
> to look at the numbers.
> Fifty percent of our children are dropping out
> of high school.
> Sixty percent of the incarcerated males
> happen to be illiterate. There's a correlation.
> Tell the media to stop asking me what I think about people who don't
> believe what I'm saying or feel that I'm too harsh or feel that I'm just
> running my mouth because I'm old.
> Seventy percent of the teenagers pregnant happen to be African American
> girls.
> Don't ask me to soften my message.
>
> Bill Cosby


45 posted on 02/19/2007 10:24:14 AM PST by Bruinator
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To: Publius6961

NAT X "You know who the man is, the same man that put black history month in the shortest month of the year."


46 posted on 02/19/2007 10:26:10 AM PST by fungoking
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To: T. Buzzard Trueblood
Black history is American history

Yes, things like the CW are somewhat significant. Blacks were the spear-point of the civil rights movement that began in the 50s. US music & athletics, which absolutely dominate the world's cultures, are dominated by blacks.

47 posted on 02/19/2007 10:26:49 AM PST by Chuck Dent
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To: Leftism is Mentally Deranged

Hey! How dare you! You left out Scottish-English-Irish-Dutch History month on purpose! This is a blatant act of discrimination!! (/sarc)


48 posted on 02/19/2007 10:32:34 AM PST by Islander7 ("Show me an honest politician and I will show you a case of mistaken identity.")
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To: Mr. Brightside
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).

I guess I'm missing the point, as well. I recall learning about Frederick Douglas and George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, and Washington D.C.'s Dunbar High School of the early 20th century whose graduates were considered to be at least on par with white students.

I know that there were other black contributors to history that we learned about, I just can't recall them all at the moment. Also, it is interesting to note that many young blacks have rejected these very same people and institutions because they weren't black enough.

49 posted on 02/19/2007 10:49:45 AM PST by DustyMoment (FloriDUH - proud inventors of pregnant/hanging chads and judicide!!)
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Comment #50 Removed by Moderator

To: Leftism is Mentally Deranged
Try telling that to the racists Congressional Black CauCaus, Jessie Jackass Jackson, Charlatan's BO Osama Obama, Al (I hate whitey) Sharptongue, Black Muslims and other self anointed hate groups.

Honestly I did not know this was Black History month in it's revisionist terms.
51 posted on 02/19/2007 10:56:04 AM PST by OKIEDOC (Kalifornia now a certified socialist state reporting to Mexico City for further instructions)
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To: Mr. Brightside

What is history?


52 posted on 02/19/2007 10:56:54 AM PST by RightWhale (300 miles north of Big Wild Life)
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To: Mr. Brightside

It is a racist policy. Do a simple check. Simply replace the word white with anything black, and see if it's ok with a jesse Jackson type. If it's not, neither the black nor version should be allowed, because they are racist.

NOTE! This is NOT to say i want a jesse jackson type to determine policy! It's just a test method.


53 posted on 02/19/2007 10:58:59 AM PST by Fierce Allegiance (FReeper DKNY - proven liar.)
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To: Mr. Brightside

It's not necessary for anyone but those who want to play a race card....


54 posted on 02/19/2007 10:59:23 AM PST by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)
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To: Publius6961
When I was in grade school years ago we were taught about many blacks and their accomplishments.

I always thought Dr. Carver was a unique person.

Now if we could educate those old charlatans Jesse Jackass Jackson and Al I Hate Whitey Sharptongue both suckered in for Osama Obama supporters.
55 posted on 02/19/2007 11:03:44 AM PST by OKIEDOC (Kalifornia now a certified socialist state reporting to Mexico City for further instructions)
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To: Mr. Brightside
The only thing that surprises me about BHM
is that Jessie and the rest haven't complained because
it is the shortest month of year.
56 posted on 02/19/2007 11:03:44 AM PST by WKB (Last wk I voted for Duncan, this Newt, next week Mitt, no rudi yet)
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To: theDentist
It's not necessary for anyone but those who want to play a race card....

But even the race-card people are getting tired of it.

"They ignore us the other 11 months of the year! (sniff, sniff)."

57 posted on 02/19/2007 11:04:53 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
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To: Cecily

I had to Google to see what you're talking about. I don't really follow the Oscars.


58 posted on 02/19/2007 11:07:49 AM PST by Constitution Day (Off with their heads, jump from the hook, you're not obliged to swallow anything you despise)
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To: Mr. Brightside
39 percent say that is an opportunity to raise awareness of African-American...accomplishments...

So, are we gonna start comparing?

59 posted on 02/19/2007 11:12:30 AM PST by XR7
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To: Mr. Brightside
Black History Month doesn't really offend me, but then I'm white. I think it would bother me more if I were black. I'd feel like I were being patronized. It seems such "special treatment" tends to create more separation and resentment than unity. If I were black, constant reminders that I belong to a group primary known by their skin tone would disturb me.

I have black friends, mostly from my church. To me, I feel closer to them than I do with some of my extended family members, because we worship the same Lord. I know they feel the same about me. I don't call them "African-American." I call them by their first names. I guess once a year I'm supposed to focus on their blackness. Sometimse I feel like we're both faking a barrier that doesn't exist.
60 posted on 02/19/2007 11:23:25 AM PST by keats5 (tolerance of intolerant people is cultural suicide)
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