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Opinion

Black history not just in February

Dante Eglin

Every February, Americans celebrate Black History Month, which originally began in 1926 when a Harvard scholar named Carter G. Woodson decided to honor the works and triumphs of black people in America. 

Woodson, whose parents were slaves, made it his life's goal to ensure that black history was documented and recognized so that future generations could have a reference to their past. Woodson organized the first Negro History Week in 1926. He chose the second week of February in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, men pivotal to the advancement of blacks in America.

Black History Month is a celebration of culture, tradition and perseverance. It is a time to pay tribute to inspirational blacks from the past, while also giving the present and future generations a foundation to build their culture upon. It is meant to honor the trials and tribulations endured by our ancestors and give the present generation a chance to share with other cultures our rich history.

I have always participated in Black History Month, but I have taken precaution to not overhype the event. Many times, fellow black people take the first opportunity to bash me upon discovery of my mindset, yet do so without thorough examination of my statement and reasoning.

By no means do I suggest that Black History Month is overrated or unimportant. It is the perfect opportunity to expose other races and cultures to the origins of blacks in America, as well as a celebration of our past. My problem is that too many blacks suddenly become culturally conscious at the end of January, and lose that newfound interest by the dawn of March.

Even though I (fortunately or unfortunately) didn't celebrate Valentine's Day this year, on previous Valentine's Day, I always made sure to do my best for the lady whom I was with. It's important to do something special for your love interest for Valentine's Day, because anyone with common sense knows the consequences if you don't. However, what is more essential to that relationship is one's willingness to take the standard set on Feb. 14 and continue it through the entire year.

I feel that it is essential not only to myself, but for those I associate with, that I celebrate my culture not only in February, but in the other 11 months also. It would basically be nothing more than a waste of effort to dust off my kufi and purchase a Malcolm X tall tee for Black History Month, and then completely disregard my culture for the remainder of the year. 

The McDonald's corporation's 365 Black advertising campaign is a perfect example of the approach blacks and any other race should practice. Originated in 2002, 365 Black is McDonald's way of celebrating black history and the achievements of blacks all year long.

Participation in Black History Month is more than welcome and is encouraged for all races, ethnicities and cultures. But I personally feel an obligation to continue the benchmark set for the 28 days of February for all 365 days of the year, and I hope more of us will do so as well.
 

Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu