Normally, the month of February doesn't bring a twinge of dread for me. Even though I think that most of the "Black History" that will be "taught" in February will be the "top 5" and not go into any depth, I still hold hope that teachers and parents are teaching the real thing. But, my dread comes this year because I know that those who are ignorant of the history of Black History Week and Black History Month are going to make a lot of noise over the comments made by Morgan Freeman. Of course, they'll take it out of context and ignore that he was saying Black history should be part of American history. (They'll also ignore his comments concerning the Confederate Flag being the flag of traitors).
But Mississippi’s history of racial conflict bothers him even to this day. Forgive, he says, but never forget.
For one, he thinks the Mississippi state flag, with its confederate emblem, should be changed.
“That flag has always represented, number one, treason and, number two, a separation of white people from Jews, niggers and homosexuals. And you can't change that. You can't tell me I'm never going to be able to look at that flag and think, ‘Ah, it's my heritage, my, you know...’ Never,” says Freeman.
The idea that Black history should be integrated with American history is one with which I agree. But how many educational systems have a program to integrate Black history into American history like that of the State of Maryland in conjunction with The Reginald Lewis Museum?
I'm sure we'll be bombarded with silly statements like this:
I truly believe that magazines like Ebony and Jet have long outlived their usefulness.
Sure, let Black history die and then later complain that we don't support our institutions.
Damn...
I need to hibernate through February.
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