PrintFebruary 1, 2010
Black History Month Should Be about Black History
I've often said jokingly that Black History Month should more accurately be called "white people and America suck" month. Rather than focusing on all of black history, every February, the liberal media and most democrats gleefully bring up all of America's past sins. Fine. I mean, after all, it is a part of history. But what is so wrong is that these race exploiters imply that current race relations in America have not come very far from the days of blacks being lynched. Thus, Black History Month in reality is the liberal democrats' annual fundraiser and promo campaign for more entitlement programs.
American blacks have achieved amazing things under extraordinary circumstances, most of which could not have happened without the assistance of good, decent, God-fearing whites. But we never hear about these white "good guys."
At age 12, George Washington Carver witnessed the hanging and burning of a fellow black male by the KKK. Carver never forgot it. As a young man, a white family saw Carver's potential and encouraged him to apply to attend a white college. In 1890, Carver was accepted at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Due to Carver's character and brilliance in art, music, and science, he won the respect of the faculty and his fellow students. A white teacher suggested Carver focus his career toward horticulture. Carver followed her advice. The teacher introduced Carver to her father, who was a doctor. With the doctor's endorsement, Carver became the first and only black student at Iowa Agricultural College in Ames, Iowa. Again, Carver was extremely active and popular. A new white student objected to Carver eating in the dining hall. The new student was shocked when all the students rejected him and rallied around Carver.
This incident confirms my belief. Yes, there are evil knuckleheads in the world. But when you do the right thing, decent people will rally around you. George Washington Carver went on to become a great humanitarian and a world-renowned scientist. Carver's achievements were extraordinary.
As a child, Carver had witnessed the worst behavior by whites: the murder and desecration of a human being by the KKK. And yet, as an adult, the generosity, kindness and encouragement of whites enabled Carver to bring his amazing discoveries to the world.
During slavery, it was illegal to teach blacks to read. Yet whites did educate blacks because they knew it was the right thing to do. The Civil War was fought and the Republican party was founded with the liberation of blacks as a major issue.
Every Black History Month, we are bombarded with specials showcasing white America's history of persecuting blacks, which totally ignores the history of white blood, sweat, and tears shed for blacks. It appears that all black achievement was made in spite of and without any help from racist white America.
As long as race exploitation is a profitable industry, America will never be allowed "off the hook." Outrageously, the Obama administration called the same white majority who elected him racist for rejecting his government-run health care plan. Race exploiters will never retire the Race Card. Race profiteers say, "Ah, it's my favorite time of the year, Black History Month. Time to convince America that they owe us and hit them up for more freebies!"
I would love to see a more fair and balanced celebration of Black History Month. Make it more focused on black achievements and less about victimhood-ism. Kids need to learn more about hardworking, self-reliant blacks such as Booker T. Washington, who in 1881 founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Washington encouraged blacks to be entrepreneurs.
Before the 1920s, Madame C. J. Walker started out as a poor little black girl -- orphaned, abused, and uneducated early on in life. Walker started her own business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations and became a millionaire. Her motto was only one's own self can help her get where she wants to be. "...if I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard," said Walker.
With Walker becoming a millionaire at a time when America truly was racist and sexist, how can modern-day blacks justify having a victim and entitlement mindset?
In fairness, Carver, Washington, and Walker are featured during Black History Month in classrooms and the media. But it is not mentioned that the success of these outstanding Americans is a testimony of the greatness of our country. I am simply saying that Black History Month should not be used for extortion or as an occasion to portray white America as villains and lay a "guilt trip" on them.
-Lloyd Marcus, (black) Unhyphenated American, singer/songwriter, entertainer, author, artist, and Tea Party patriot.
lloydmarcus.com
lloydmarcus.com
