It is an unfortunate yet true fact that there are members of the Pepperdine community who do not know that it is Black History Month even though it has been the case every February since most of their births.
There can be many reasons for this: Black history does not get much airtime in public schools aside from Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Both icons are influential figures in black history but what would Shakespeare’s Hamlet be if one were only introduced to Horatio and Ophelia? The story as a whole would not be as effective and probably would not be as important or highly regarded as it is today. The same concept extends to the figures within the realm of any movement in black history.
Quick who was the first black person to run for president? No not President Obama. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was not the first either. In 1972 Shirley Chisholm ran for president. During a time when the black movement as well as the women’s movement were very prominent Chisholm embodied the bridge that connected the two.
Until recently – and everyone knows what that “recently” is – the portraits of blacks in America has been distorted and limited to only the biggest rapper the best basketball player the funniest comedian and the eccentric and afro-centric politicians who all happen to be reverends.
Many of these limitations are apparent on the Pepperdine campus as well. All students should stretch themselves to see beyond all categorical labels: women whites blacks Latinos Asians and so on.
In 2009 the celebration of bridges is something everyone can and should cheer for. When one succeeds success belongs to many; Chrisholm’s endeavor was to be celebrated as a victory for women no matter what race as well as blacks. George Washington Carver’s scientific successes are means to celebrate for scientists and blacks. Dr. Mae Jemison’s journey to space was a victory not only for blacks but for women and astronauts as well.
Black history is American history. It is a chapter that like many others is grazed past but that is not what college is for. This is the time for students to learn about the whole rather than the snippets previously presented within the western cannon of primary education.
Black History Month is not simply an opportunity to acknowledge the fact that it is February and go on with the day-to-day life. Nor is it a time to merely make eye contact with one of the representatives sitting at the Black Student Association table in the Waves Café and ignore an opportunity to learn.
Black History Month is a celebration one that everyone can and should participate in.
The nation celebrates independence day with jubilance even though in the 1700s nearly half of the nation’s ancestors probably rolled their eyes at the hypocrisy of talk of independence or the “All men are created equal” jargon. Even though not everyone was included when the festivities originated everyone has the right to claim ownership over it now. Also America celebrates St. Patrick’s Day when only a fraction claims Irish or Celtic ancestry.
Let’s be frank: It’s a pretty good time to be black. But the biggest misconception is that these great strides and means for celebration belong to one group. With this in mind: It’s an even better time to be an American.