Celebrating Black History Month

originally posted by: Tempter
Black History Month only serves to divide Americans.

I wonder how the supporters of Black History Month define "black." My Sociology Degree sense is tingling like Spider-Man. I've always understood that the entire notion of race is a misguided holdover from the 19th Century when social scientists thought they could classify people according to their physical characteristics. We're still fighting Nazis about this.

Can't be color. There are some East Indians with skin so black it's nearly blue. Can't be African descent. Charlize Theron is more African than most "black" people in America. No Asians (whatever that means). No Hispanics. Definitely no white people. Seems a bit exclusionary.

And I'm still not sure why anyone would celebrate anything they didn't work for or have any choice about in the first place.

a reply to: JBurns

That's still a thing?!

I think Maxine highlights reel reruns all month would be good.



ETA; just so everyone knows, I'm aware of what real black americans have done for their country and fellow man.

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: alldaylong
Do they have BBQ's at The White House ?
After that little fire we started there in 1814, they may have to be more careful.

We eventually got even with you by sending you all the seasons of "Friends."

Hey! That was a good show! (said with ross's voice)

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: Tempter
Black History Month only serves to divide Americans.

I wonder how the supporters of Black History Month define "black." My Sociology Degree sense is tingling like Spider-Man. I've always understood that the entire notion of race is a misguided holdover from the 19th Century when social scientists thought they could classify people according to their physical characteristics. We're still fighting Nazis about this.
Can't be color. There are some East Indians with skin so black it's nearly blue. Can't be African descent. Charlize Theron is more African than most "black" people in America. No Asians (whatever that means). No Hispanics. Definitely no white people. Seems a bit exclusionary.

And I'm still not sure why anyone would celebrate anything they didn't work for or have any choice about in the first place.

I know! Have a very nice couple in our church. He's on the sound tech team, go figure.

I look mexican!

We have koreans that look chinese, chinese that look japanese, Indians with spanish last names, oh my!

Black guy from Tobago, a Toboggan!

And a bunch of white guys that look like californians.

And yes, white africans, pilots mostly and not from south africa or dutch.

No french guys tho, curious.

Filipinos that can't make up their mind to be more asian or spanish looking.

So, what that says is that we don't go by superficial looks and found something deeper to bring us together.

a reply to: kaylaluv


Same, I just happy at the end result regardless of who is responsible.

Hopefully it will continue to rise, and the hopefully the AG will take a look at some of the draconian laws (or at least sentencing guidelines) that have such a negative impact on POC. But fixing the unemployment issue is a major step forward, and if we continue to work toward this goal could really make a long term difference in the quality of life for many Americans. That is always a worthwhile pursuit

a reply to: Blue Shift


I would say: "a shared history and similar cultural experiences"

edit: I guess this describes a lot of people though...

originally posted by: noonebutme
a reply to: JBurns

So, does this mean it can't be celebrated when it isn't February? Does Black History only have value in February?

I never understood why there's "Black History" month. You shouldn't need a dedicated period of time to celebrate or revere history.

Why not just celebrate it whenever it's needed and not single it out? Makes it even more 'us and them' when Black History is set aside for a special period, implying it isn't as unique or valid for the other 11 months of the year.

Seems silly and disingenuous to human beings.

Yes, just like your birthday is only celebrated for one day per year, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, etc...

originally posted by: burgerbuddy
So, what that says is that we don't go by superficial looks and found something deeper to bring us together.

Everybody History Month?

a reply to: StallionDuck

Ahh, good ol Morgan Freeman.

originally posted by: LSU0408
Yes, just like your birthday is only celebrated for one day per year, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, etc...

So black people get those days AND a whole month specifically designated for themselves?

Must be nice to be black.

a reply to: Asktheanimals

I like what Morgan Freeman said when he was asked how to curb racism after he said didn't want a BHM. He said "stop talking about it." So true.

originally posted by: kaylaluv

originally posted by: alldaylong
a reply to: kaylaluv

The British have always been highly discussed in American history textbooks

Aren't we always portrayed as " The Baddies " though ?

Not necessarily. Remember, most of the first settlers were British.

And preferred cable over Direct TV.

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: LSU0408
Yes, just like your birthday is only celebrated for one day per year, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, etc...

So black people get those days AND a whole month specifically designated for themselves?

Must be nice to be black.

Yessiree... If we don't have something inclusive just for them then shart hits the fan. I celebrate it as much as I celebrate MLK day, which means I don't celebrate it.

originally posted by: alldaylong
a reply to: JBurns

I am surprised you don't have a " British History Month "

After all, without Britain there would have been no U.S.

There would be riots in the streets, looting, murders, vandalism, tens of scores of miserly BBC talking heads and parliamentary inquisitions at the very mention of the idea that British History deserves a month, and even if it were to happen, it would be utterly revised. Nelson would be portrayed as black. Boudica would be a woman of Pakistani heritage and the original settlers would become trannies escaping homophobia.

Pre civil war? There is no chance whatsoever of such a thing.

originally posted by: Blue Shift
Must be nice to be black.

You think so?

Yessiree... If we don't have something inclusive just for them then shart hits the fan

I'll be celebrating black history month by reminding myself that absolutely everything meaningful, vital and important to our societies comes as a result of white people.

originally posted by: Blue Shift
I wonder how the supporters of Black History Month define "black."

I would imagine the same way Trump defines "black" while speaking about unemployment rates?

originally posted by: AScrubWhoDied

originally posted by: Blue Shift
I wonder how the supporters of Black History Month define "black."

I would imagine the same way Trump defines "black" while speaking about unemployment rates?

Like I said above, I don't know what people are talking about when they talk about "race." Just like I don't understand when people talk about "God."

It's apparently just one of those things that people supposedly just know by common sense, so I guess I ain't got none.

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: burgerbuddy
So, what that says is that we don't go by superficial looks and found something deeper to bring us together.

Everybody History Month?

Gotta keep it to 12 peoples, tho.

Unless some want to share a month.

1 people a week, 4 peoples a month.

For a small fee we can fit you in mon-wed the 3rd week in october.

Cash only, in advance.