Dear Editor,
Almost into March, we can reflect on the successes and failures of this month -- one of which is the outpouring of supportive and unsupportive responses for Black History Month celebrations.
The events of the past are never dead. Our history that we have seen, heard and experienced shapes our perceptions of reality, the frames of reference which we bring to bear when we seek to interpret current events. Thus, we bring our history with us from the past and we use our history to decide on those actions we take which, in turn, shape our future.
Now, my question: Why celebrate Black History Month in a black-dominated country? That's almost as absurd as North America celebrating "White History Month". To what end? No one is shunting away "Black History Month", but this chapter in history is celebrated every day and is inconsistent with our motto "Out of Many One People".
The intention of this annual celebration is an offshoot of Black History Month in the US and other places to celebrate their ethnic minorities, so why then aren't we celebrating our ethnic minorities?
If we are to progress as a society, we cannot do so from a position of ignorance of our history in all its facets. This enquiry, if used wisely, gives us an opportunity to begin a process of ventilation and discussion of our past which can become an embedded feature of national discourse. In that process we may just find the keys to genuine national emancipation.
Andrew King
abking020@gmail.com
Why celebrate Black History Month?
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Almost into March, we can reflect on the successes and failures of this month -- one of which is the outpouring of supportive and unsupportive responses for Black History Month celebrations.
The events of the past are never dead. Our history that we have seen, heard and experienced shapes our perceptions of reality, the frames of reference which we bring to bear when we seek to interpret current events. Thus, we bring our history with us from the past and we use our history to decide on those actions we take which, in turn, shape our future.
Now, my question: Why celebrate Black History Month in a black-dominated country? That's almost as absurd as North America celebrating "White History Month". To what end? No one is shunting away "Black History Month", but this chapter in history is celebrated every day and is inconsistent with our motto "Out of Many One People".
The intention of this annual celebration is an offshoot of Black History Month in the US and other places to celebrate their ethnic minorities, so why then aren't we celebrating our ethnic minorities?
If we are to progress as a society, we cannot do so from a position of ignorance of our history in all its facets. This enquiry, if used wisely, gives us an opportunity to begin a process of ventilation and discussion of our past which can become an embedded feature of national discourse. In that process we may just find the keys to genuine national emancipation.
Andrew King
abking020@gmail.com
Why celebrate Black History Month?
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