BEYOND BLACK HISTORY

For the past few years when Black History Month rolls around I've had some doubts about the importance of black history. I've begun to wonder whether there is too much emphasis on the past. Maybe we invest too much energy looking behind us, searching for past glories. Would we be any different as a people if there weren't such illustrious accomplishments to look back upon? Are we any less because there aren't more? Some of the crowing about descent from African kings and queens is frankly more than I can take. A few people even seem to think that ordinary, documented black history isn't enough, and claim that ancient blacks invented airplanes and are, in fact, even the source of modern European culture.

There is still some need to rectify the negative images that linger in our society. To the extent that history has any value, then it must be recounted in a fair and unbiased manner. Black history is important as a counterbalance to the racist portrayals of our African heritage, but the past should not dominate our outlook. Black history is also just plain interesting and entertaining, but then what history isn't? Do we need black history as a form of affirmation, making us feel more worthwhile as persons? Not if we teach the fundamental notion that each person should be judged on their own merits, not on the attainments or failures of their ancestors. The emphasis on black history as a means of establishing a positive identity is at odds with that ideal. Black history has been marketed as some sort of psychological panacea for black people when, in fact, a truly egalitarian philosophy discounts the importance of heritage.

This isn't to say that there are no longer blacks whose self image has been distorted or malformed by the racism in our society, and certainly there remain whites who reject the notion of equality. But, fortunately, the mission of Black History Month has been sufficiently fulfilled such that attention may now be focused upon more important matters. And there are certainly plenty of those. It is now time to take it to the next level.

But what is more important than appreciating black history? I would say planning our future. Perhaps we need a month which celebrates and promotes our future accomplishments. It's great to know about Crispus Attucks, but how about setting a goal that every black student completes high school, and working toward that goal as a nation? It is of course quite gratifying to learn about the underground railroad, but how about a campaign to ensure that every black person has a library card?

Instead of Black History Month, which is solely focused on the past, I would like to propose Black Achievement Month, which looks both backwards and forwards, extracting from the events of the past their greatest value: inspiration for the future.