Black History Month

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” -- Dr. Woodson

Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson is known as the "Father of Black History", a distinguished Black author, editor, publisher, and historian. Carter G. Woodson (December 1875 - April 1950) believed that Black history - which others have tried so diligently to erase - is a firm foundation for young Black Americans to build on in order to become productive citizens of our society.

On February 26, 1926, Carter G. Woodson announced “Negro History Week.” From that day on, African-Americans and their allies have been celebrating Black History -- only now, we have a whole month. My question is; why do we wait for February to roll around each year before we celebrate?? Why not celebrate every day, 24/7/365? Why wait to pull out the trivia, have programs at the community centers, luncheons, and celebrate renowned personalities who made a difference in Black America by hanging large poster boards, most of people we've never heard of or read about?

Dr. Woodson often said that he hoped the time would come when Negro History Week would be unnecessary; when all Americans would willingly recognize the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country.

Black folks, we have contributed a great deal to this country. I mean, we've help to build this place called America so why not take stock in America. Why not build generational wealth, buy property, improve our communities, help one another. No, instead, we've done just the opposite. We celebrate in a totally different way than our forefathers and mothers. Instead of investing in one another, we buy new cars, add more bling, bling around our necks, more name brand tennis shoes on our feet, cloths that we'll probably never get around to wearing then end up giving away only to buy more.....

How about we reduce this vicious cycle of frivolous spending and just living for the weekend and get down to some real enterpising??? Invest less dollars in Hillfigers, Hummers and hydrolics -- why not invest dollars and sense into our own businesses?? Yes, I meant sense. We have to have enough sense to know when to spend and when to save; when to invest and when to buy; when to hold 'em and fold 'em. I mean, who started the "sag" look and the mule fad (remember walking on the backs of your tennis shoes back in the day)....and who's capitalizing on those fads??

Without Black History we really have little or no history. All we would have is...his story. Who's telling our story?? When are we going to begin to tell "our" story of how we've rebuilt our neighborhoods by investing in them, and how we've built educational facilities to help the illiterate, and how we took a young "brotha or sista and invested in their future?? When are we going to teach our young men and women about self respect?? And where is Jesus in all of this nonesense?? Are we teaching our young ones about Jesus?? Christ gave up his life for us and how will we celebrate our freedom? Will we waste it or use it to improve our land??

You can say that the "white"man is holding us down but that story is not as true as it once was. Yes, we've gone from physical to the mental slavery. No, you may not be called the "N" word to your face but you just can't seem to achieve that management position in "Corporate America". So what! Start your own company and be your own boss then you can be the owner, manager and employee.

Just think what would happen if we would begin to pool our resources, come together as a unit?? We could build up countries, buy islands and resorts, buy or build airlines, own car lots, grocery stores, shopping centers and malls, build enterprises again. We are too B.U.S.Y. (Being Under Satan's Yoke) coveting our neighbors houses, cars, wives & husbands (sometimes both). We want to live like the Jones', be like Mike, live like the rich and famous. What part of "thou shalt not" didn't we understand?? Don't be hatin' on each other, use the other 4-letter word--HELP. Why be jealous of someone you're trying to help? You never know how much of a blessing that person could be to you. I'm not saying help with hidden motives but help because it's the right thing to do.

Just think how much more full our lives would be if we would learn to support and really celebrate our heritage by helping one another. When are we going to wake up and really be a true brother or sister?? Be that village that raises Sis. So & So's kids. Get drugs out of our neighborhoods. Have block parties and family reunions without the shootings. Let's get back to the basics.

Once we understand our past, then we can get on with our future. If we gain the knowledge about our forefathers and mothers, the hardships they endured to get us Blacks from the "back of the bus" to the front and out of the back of the kitchen to the inside of the dining area of a restaurant, from the barn house to the classroom and from the cotton fields to the corporate offices....wow!!!...what a difference we would make in our world, our nation, our state, our "hood" and in our homes.

What if...?????