History Is Black — Amazingly So, Terrifyingly So
Humans celebrating human achievements — with Black hands and pink hearts.
It’s February 1st!
The month of pink and red hearts. The month of red, bleeding hearts. The remembrance stuck in our mental membranes of Black hands, Black minds, and the heart of toil to get us where we all are today.
However, lately I’ve noticed not many Blacks celebrate it on social media(not sure if they do in their own homes). Plus, what do I mean by celebrate? Why is Black History Month either shamed, debated about, or given to other “indigenous people?”
Amazingly so…
Why would someone not take the time to celebrate an important piece of American history?
For starters, it was not always like this.
There was a time we anticipated February because we would read books and discuss prominent Black inventors, beauticians, and teachers. Rightfully so, since Black History was essentially established around 1915 by two Black men: Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard trained historian and Jesse E. Moorland for just that reason — to educate us on little known Black History facts.
Woodson and Moorland were part of an organization called, Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), and get this: In 1926, they sponsored Negro History Week the second week of February! It was only for one week!
Over time, it became known as Black History Month, officially recognized by President Gerald Ford. He did not want the memories and the achievements of Blacks to go on unnoticed.
Blacks today seem more interested in Latto’s change of underwear and Crisean Rock and Blueface’s fiascos, than honoring the Blacks who shed blood, sweat, tears and fears just to live as humans with basic rights.
“If we have the courage and tenacity of our forebears, who stood firmly like a rock against the lash of slavery, we shall find a way to do for our day what they did for theirs.” ― Mary McLeod Bethune
What do I mean by celebrate?
I will be totally honest.
On the first day of February, I would usually not think of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, or Mary McLeod Bethune.
I would instead wonder: Does the Lindt chocolate brand have the strawberry candies for my Love instead of milk chocolate?
This year has to be different though.
I still love Valetine’s Day and will celebrate that as well.
I want to use my passion and skill to show off the talents of the Blacks too. What I mean is, as a “free” people with “free” will; we each have our own way of honoring those who came before us.
Whether it’s creating poetry to reflect on the month, writing fiction, promoting books and movies across social media, teaching our children about their history (and not just slavery), etc.
There are many ways.
Who knows?
Maybe people are silently celebrating. So, I don’t want this piece to come off as arrogant or judgmental. I don’t know what goes on in other folks’ homes. But as for me and my family, we do hope to shed more light on the unsung heroes of the Black race.
Terrifyingly so…
Does it matter if we celebrate Black History or Blackness 24/7 or just one month?
A month on Mars is at least 46–67 sols/days long. A year is twice as long as Earth’s.
On Earth, if you celebrate Black History for a whole month, that’s 28 days. Just think, on Mars, it will be nearly 46 days or more anyway.
Does it matter if you celebrate it for a week, like we did in the 20th Century? Does it matter if we make it 365 days out of the year? Does it matter that we think about it for only one month?
Does it make any of us special?
Nope and… nope.
Sometimes during the year, as Blacks, we often forget those who could not enjoy the simple freedoms we enjoy today. Even though in 2023 we are still dealing with violence against our own bodies by many hands of any color, those Blacks during slavery and during the Civil Rights movement had sleepless nights bombarding their minds, crosses burned on their front lawns, their entire towns burned down or they were literally shot down for owning a business.
Even though Black blood swirl in the streets and careless, violent hands reach for the breath of the Black man and woman, even though the sour breath of Lucifer whips like a mighty god of light and caress our feeble brains with scriptures made for manipulation-
We are in an era where we are told we have rights.
We are told we have a voice.
We have breath in our bodies to use the most powerful weapon ever invented…
Our words.
It was Malcom’s words that taught us defense.
It was Martin’s words that taught us love can offend the enemy.
Let’s ALL remember Black History: Black, white and all other cultures and races. Remember those (Blacks)who made it possible for all walks of life to enjoy life.
Thank you for reading!
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