Black History, and the Shortest Month of the Year

Today marks day number one in a month long fact fest, supposedly designed to educate this nation on the key contributions and accomplishments of African-Americans, also known as Blacks.  Critics of this month have constantly debated the need for such a time period, saying it counteracts the overlying goal of making Black history simply become American history.

However, the problem with this notion is the fact that we still live in a society where Black and White are unequal playing fields.  There are still too many miles apart, so to speak, between where the average White person must go to be successful in life and where the average Black person must go, to do likewise.  Economic structures have still yet to be reformed.  Social constricts still remain intact.  The same underlying principles of "separate but equal" still hinder in places where they should not, such as schools, hospitals, and businesses.  Funding still feels different in Black America.  Still seems lacking and disproportioned.  But these social injustices still remain far too numerous to blog about all of them at the moment.

Right now, I'm interested in looking at the things that have always irked me about the so called Black History Month.  I say so called because, while I am pleased with what it attempts to accomplish and I understand the need for this accomplishment, I feel like it falls so far short, that there needs to be some adjustments.

Before I begin, let me say that Black History Month is just as necessary today as it has ever been.  Until history books begin to accurately and correctly include the contributions of African-Americans, the need will persist.  As a one-time history major, I've perused my share of textbooks.  Some make a much more adamant effort than others, but all of them fall short.  The major problem is that the contributions of Black people in history always seem isolated and random, as if the editors of the text, not wanting to appear biased, decided to quickly throw in the same familiar lines about Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It's funny to me, and very sad at the same time, that all of my White friends can name the same dozen or so "important Black names" that history books always attempt to suffice us with.  As if the history of my ancestors was so limited.  The sad thing is that this disproportioned presentation of facts leaves most students, including many African-Americans, in the dark when it comes to Black History.  The current school system stuffs names like Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Betsy Ross, Lewis & Clark, Thomas Edison, and others into our minds consistently.  Only once, if at all, do they bother mentioning Hiram Revels, Dred Scott, Carter G. Woodson, Matthew Henson, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., Thomas Jennings, Marjorie Joyner, or Sarah Goode.  You can go into any classroom in America and mention the first set of names, and a majority of students will identify them.  Sadly, the same can't be said for the second list.

Well, hopefully this bit of venting makes more people want to change the discrepancies.

So, back to my qualms with Black History Month.  Issue #1:  Why the shortest month of the year?
Okay, I know what you're thinking.  This sounds like conspiracy theory, but it does seem a little sketchy that the one month designated as BHM is also the one with the fewest days.  It's stuff like this that makes me shake my head at the current cultural imbalances.  The United Kindom, one of three nations that celebrate this month, actually uses the month of October, while Canada and the United States both use February.  Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month are both in May.  Irish American Heritage Month falls in March.  November marks National American Indian Heritage Month.

(As an aside, Filipino American Heritage Month, celebrated in October, has still yet to officially be recognized by Congress.  What's up with that?)

To be continued....

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 01, 2011

Corrine Bailey Rae --- The Blackest Lily

And apparently I've been placed in a Corrine mood thanks to my last bit of randomness.  But this song just bangs within the inner recesses of any heart that's ever been affected.  An excellent groove.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Just a Bit of Randomness (Maybe)

If my heart could sing a song.....

....it would sound a lot like Corrine.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Proud of Myself

Monday turned out to be a pretty productive day.  I ended up writing a lot more than I realized, and then even forced myself to focus on some much needed editing of the finished novel.  More and more each day, I'm understanding, from doing research and talking to a few writers who have actually been published, that this is not an overnight process.  Although finishing was the first step, it was not the only one.  For every 50,000 writers who have ever completed the task of finishing a novel, around 500 of them will have what is takes to continue forward.  And out of that 500, maybe about 50 will actually get some real attention paid to their query letter.  Unfortunately, out of those 50, five might be asked to send in a manuscript.  And out of those, they may decide they like just one.

I am perfecting how to be that one, every single time.

I realize that what makes this different from any other goal I've ever set in my life.  I am prepared to keep trying, even if it takes an entire lifetime.  Either my name will rest at the top spot of the New York Times Bestseller List, or I'll smile on the way to the grave knowing that I gave it everything I had.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

If Only Just for One Night....

....I imagine I'd get some good sleep.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet