B is for Black History Month


Well... I have been known for having quite unusual views on topics, however, I'm not sure that my view on Black History Month is unusual at all.  I honestly believe that deep down, other people feel the same way that I do but they maybe don't take the time to reflect on their motives.  But hey, I could be wrong.  Let me begin by saying that I love Black culture.  I love being Black and I love my Black brothers and sisters.  I love the way that we are and I love our vast potential.  But you see, the way that I love is like this.  I'll tell you the truth...the way that I see it. And I'll encourage you to tell me yours...the way that you see it.  So here goes...

History is something that we should learn from.  Once we know it, even if to a limited capacity, we should aim to duplicate and build on the successes, and minimise the repetition of mistakes.  This is not something that can be done within the confines of one month which is why I don't like the idea of Black History Month.  It has become like Christmas - commercialised.  It would seem as though we have turned it into a market stall for our ideas and trinkets.  When I was a child, I would have loved to have had the information sharing that is happening within the Black community now.  I would have loved to have been taught about Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Mansa Musa.  I would have been able to normalise freedom, ruling and prosperity, as well as struggle!  But it is what it is and now that I have learned more, I am expected to live up to what I have learned - and so are you.  What have you learned about our history? What can you learn from our history?  The difference between the two questions is the former focuses on theoretical knowledge like names, dates, events, keywords etc.  Whereas the latter question focuses on praxis, what we do with what we know.

The discussions that I have with my children are always a mixture of 'about learning' and 'from learning'.  I'm a stickler for progress and I applaud even the tiniest step forward.  I wouldn't call myself a mother of the Black community but I don't mind being called Aunty!  So, this Black History Month try taking the knowledge that you have learned about any historical figure and ask yourself the question, 'how can this apply to my life right now?'  

Happy Black History Month!

Dr. Monica

💜

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