Black History Month is more than just a formality that needs to be acknowledged. It is important to delve into its long and difficult history before it became a mere checkbox. Originally, it was a weeklong observation established in 1915, which was 52 years after the abolishment of slavery through the ratification of the 13th Amendment. However, it was not until 1976, 61 years later, that President Gerald Ford officially recognized it as Black History Month.
Black History Month allows us to celebrate and honor the contributions of Black Americans collectively while also acknowledging the Black experience in our country during ongoing strategic structural and systemic racism. We know that Black history is essential to American history and has contributed wholly to society. However, the legacy of slavery, racism and othering has left an indelible mark on the Black experience. This has created a unique duality wherein Black Americans must navigate a sense of pride in their heritage and existence while enduring lasting trauma as we strive to exist within a society that often denies our value and worth. W.E.B. Du Bois referred to this struggle as an ongoing effort to reconcile one’s identity as a Black person with the pressures to conform to a white-dominated society — I agree.
The Black American experience has been marked by 405 years of slavery, Jim Crow laws, Sundown Towns, Redlining and numerous other discriminatory practices. Despite enduring countless traumas, the Black community has remained resilient, resourceful, educated and successful. This is exemplified by the creation of towns like Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Seneca Village in New York (although Seneca Village no longer exists and is now Central Park). Today, there is an alarming increase in anti-blackness. From transactional allyship to outright racism and the deliberate attempt to erase blackness altogether, our society has created systems of inequity that continue to oppress and hold back Black Americans (and people of color) while uplifting others based on race, class and gender identity. We cannot regress. Our global community has come too far to allow fear and miseducation to limit our humanity.
Black Lives Matter versus Blue Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter, but then look the other way in silence when tasked to tackle the matter. Really? Black History Month 2024 reminds us that history has been and is being written; no need to argue about who gets to author the story that is being told through our everyday actions. Let’s hold that truth to be self-evident. I no more want to see a Black man or woman killed in a traffic stop than I want to see an Asian woman murdered on a subway platform, a Jewish or Palestinian boy shot to death, or a farmworker who moonlights as a janitor suddenly labeled essential during a pandemic. When we speak of humanity, we must do so with the intent to include all people, but especially people of color. We, the minority voice, represent the majority census. As Americans, and most of us being citizens of the global diaspora, we are responsible for each other’s lived experiences whether we like it or not. It is important to be intentional in recognizing our deep intersectionality and to create safe pathways with room for grace and forgiveness that helps us understand and support one another in our lives.
“Still, we rise!” Today, Black Americans are recognized in various fields, such as pop culture, sports, business, the arts and politics. As we celebrate and honor the Black experience during Black History Month, let us do so with an equitable perspective, acknowledging our shared humanity. We must see one another beyond our differences and understand that our fates are intertwined. We share a collective history and must stand united in our efforts to uplift one another as we demonstrate positive change and belonging. Let us acknowledge our commonalities, respect our differences, and appreciate our cultural contributions to creating a more equitable San Mateo County all year long.
Maurice Goodman is the acting president of the NAACP San Mateo.
The United States will never be color blind until democrats become color blind. I can see that someone is black, white, Asian etc... I can tell that someone is gay, transgender or drag queen. No one is victim, we are all blessed. When democrats stop pointing out the differences amongst people, tensions will subside. Until then you only have democrats to blame because people, especially children don't care about the differences that make us all unique.
Funny thing about that. I guess you don't have a mirror. I thought the United States would never be color blind until the Republicans become color blind.
What’s even funnier is Taffy trying to blame Republicans for Democrat failings. Taffy purposefully forgets Democrats were pro-slavery, zero Democrats voted for the 14th and 15th Amendments, Democrats passed Jim Crow laws, and Democrats founded the KKK to terrorize slaves and to silence Republicans. I think we know who needs a mirror, along with a few history lessons, and it’s not Not So Common.
Jorg, the only controversy regarding the 2nd Amendment and the electoral college comes from democrats who want to change things because it doesn't fit their emotional desires. If you and your liberal brethren want to change things, then simply amend the US Constitution, it's really that easy. It's the same as liberal black robes who make their decisions by twisting logic and applying their desires and emotions rather than the Constitution. Again, apply the Constitution and if something is out of whack or doesn't fit today's evolving United States, then change the law or amend the Constitution.
Regarding mutilating children, coercing children into changing their sex, then force feeding them emotional hormones, then force feeding them real hormone therapy and finally mutilating their genitals is the liberals answer to all of today's children's problems. I'd also consider aborting babies an obvious form of mutilation and the number each year of abortions and sex change mutilation far exceeds the number of children who unfortunately who are killed by a bullet.
It is the democrats who put down blacks and people of color by lowering the bar for education, work requirements etc... You and your party don't believe that people of color can exist without special assistance, like they are disabled and unable to think and reason for themselves. But polls show the people of color are tired of being propped up and demeaned by Jorg, Tafhdyd and the entire democrat party and are now starting to see the light is brighter on the conservative side of the fence where the only expectations are that people should be judged by the content of their character, and not the color of their skin.
People of color are not second class as democrats tell them all the time. They are just as able if they apply themselves and make responsible decisions. Conservatives don't make and or accept phony political excuses with the idea of controlling and keep the people of color down. And now Joe Biden is flooding the United States with illegal immigrants, but not for humanitarian reasons, but for political control.
The Republicans fought for the freedom of blacks and won once before and we will keep fighting without excuses until the the chains of the democrat party are broken once and for all.
Exactly what we could expect from a blind-sided Trumpian! Those denying blacks equal education opportunities, including George Wallace, where anything but Republican? And who is trying to rewrite and hide the true black history from Floridians, just to mention some of the more recent attempts at history falsification? And what on flat Earth do you know about my relationship and experience with black people? You haven't even read what I wrote about some of it in my latest book!
Not So common - please remind Jorg that all Southern state governors opposed equal opportunity for all were Democrats, repeat ALL of them! His historical knowledge is, as usual, lacking.
How far back in history did you have to go, Dirk? To the time when the then so-called Southern Democrats were more like the Republicans today, while the then Republican Lincoln had the heart and mind more like today's Democrats? You see, Dirk, history has pretty much turned the D v. R difference around to pretty much the opposite of what it was.
Hilarious, Jorg. You don’t understand how the Second Amendment or the Electoral College works, along with not understanding the definitions of “assault weapon” or “insurrection” or “incendiary” or “credit” to name a few, and you’re expecting us to accept your revisionist racist Democrat history? Um, sorry, your Republican to Democrat switcheroo has been thoroughly debunked (apparently except for those not of the right mind) as are your failed interpretations, bigly, of the Second Amendment and EC.
TY: You still don’t seem to grasp that both the 2nd and EC have been rather controversial, and especially lately when we have seen the enormous damage as a result, - but it doesn’t sound like that bothers you at all, not even the mutilated school children! Lots of books have been written on both of these anachronisms, mainly by authors who point out the obvious problems, esp. that neither does any good whatsoever anymore. But for many short-sighted Republicans, of course, the main thing is to get their cult leader back into the WH, regardless of the cost especially the last two incompetent liars have caused, and now the enormous risk of getting the current R-frontrunner back into the office he was so completely unqualified for, and which he so carelessly misused for his own benefit, or at least what he thought would be beneficial for himself. We’ll see what he feels about what he did when he, hopefully, ends up in prison for the rest of his selfish, destructive life.
Is Mr. Goodman preaching to the choir or is he beating a dead horse? The NAACP has long outlived its purpose. He is now inadvertently reminding us that we are different?
Dirk, I have one question for you. Why did you choose to immigrate to America and not South Africa with the Africana's? Remember the ancestors of the founders of the NAACP were brought here with no choice and all they want is to live together and build a better America.
That is simple. I immigrated because I saw freedom and economic opportunity. The referenced ancestors were already here for a few hundred years and have been given plenty of time and resources to assimilate and become successful. I was at a disadvantage as I needed to learn the ropes in this country, whereas the Blacks already here for generations did not have that obstacle. I was drafted within months of my arrival, served for 4 years in the military and was then entitled to GI Bill benefits. All of my peers had the same opportunities but some apparently decided it was easier to listen to the guidance of the NAACP and subscribe to President Johnson's calamitous welfare programs. Most Africans, if given the opportunity, would prefer to live here regardless of NAACP's insistence that this is a racist country. Biden's open border policy is proving that every day based on Border Patrol data. That these ancestors were brought here without choice is an old saw that defies relevance and is not really much different from the thousands of Chinese, Irish, eastern Europeans and Latino workers who were also involuntary immigrants. They quit complaining and made something of themselves. They built and are building a better America as well. So what is his beef anyway?
I am happy to see that your decision to come to America worked out for you and my Dutch Grandparents in 1912. As for me, I have been exposed to many different cultures and never had to give a second thought for who and what I am. I'm me and I am white and never thought about it until I studied American History and realized how really lucky I am. Please research how those who you say have been free since 1864-1865 were accepted by all whites and allowed the same opportunities we had. All I can say, is there still is a need for the NAACP and I do hope that someday there won't be. May your life continue to be blessed.
Dirk: Have you already forgotten that blacks who served admirably in WWII were denied GI bill benefits that all non-blacks got? And have you forgotten how they were denied educational opportunities, especially in the South, and as recently as the 60’s? Even I, as Nordic white as it is possible to be, was mistaken for being at least half-black, from a photo of a very suntanned me accompanying a piece I wrote about Trump. And did I get it! A commentator responded that he knew everything about me, an uneducated burden on society, living in the basement of my unwed mother, and what to do with me if he ever got his hands around my neck. This was the best part; the rest would be rejected by the DJ editor!
“The White liberal is the worst enemy to America and the worst enemy to the Black man. Let me first explain what I mean by this White liberal. In America there’s no such thing as Democrats and Republicans anymore. That’s antiquated. In America you have liberals and conservatives. This is what the American political structure boils down to among Whites. The only people who are still living in the past and thinks in terms of “I’m a Democrat” or “I’m a Republican” is the American Negro. He’s the one who runs around bragging about party affiliation and he’s the one who sticks to the Democrat or sticks to the Republican, but White people in America are divided into two groups, liberals and Republicans…or rather, liberals and conservatives. And when you find White people vote in the political picture, they’re not divided in terms of Democrats and Republicans, they’re divided consistently as conservatives and as liberal. The Democrats who are conservative vote with Republicans who are conservative. Democrats who are liberals vote with Republicans who are liberals. You find this in Washington, DC. Now the White liberals aren’t White people who are for independence, who are liberal, who are moral, who are ethical in their thinking, they are just a faction of White people who are jockeying for power the same as the White conservatives are a faction of White people who are jockeying for power. Now they are fighting each other for booty, for power, for prestige and the one who is the football in the game is the Negro. Twenty million Black people in this country are a political football, a political pawn an economic football, an economic pawn, a social football, a social pawn. - Malcolm X
Excellent guest perspective, Mr. Goodman. Your piece outlines the reasons we need to continue recognizing the history and the contributions of African Americans in this country. The openly atagonistic response (which was expected; same response as when I wrote about Black History Month several years ago) is further proof of our need to continue highlighting Black History Month. The denial of reality by some people and their preference to discount others' experiences in this country because this isn't their experience has unfortunately grown in recent years in some quarters of our community and of our country. I applaud your hard work and the work of the NAACP in San Mateo County and throughout this nation to counter the ignorance of that perspective.
Dear Reverend - I don't believe anyone is denying the contributions that Blacks have made and are making to better our country. You and the NAACP also insult the majority of Blacks in this country who do not need to be reminded on a daily basis that they are different and need special treatment. Tell me, what demographic in this country or anywhere else has not gone through rough times but survived and flourished?
For Jorg et al - why is it that some feel compelled to ingratiate themselves to the Black community? Let's not kid ourselves, if anyone has ever been in a managerial role or has reported to a Black manager, one would have to agree that skin color played no role whatever in those business relationships. Actually, I am looking forward to the Black community, probably not those who are ardent NAACP members, to recognize that White folks have been instrumental in their lives as well. That should be a natural acknowledgement and I could probably produce quite a few names myself. Now, Jorg will tell you that "some of his best friends are Black" but that appears quite patronizing. Oh, and Jorg, you are still stuck in the sixties, time has apparently passed you by and your revisionist theories are simply a white wash (no pun intended). Your vast circle of highly educated friends must be impressed.
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(22) comments
The United States will never be color blind until democrats become color blind. I can see that someone is black, white, Asian etc... I can tell that someone is gay, transgender or drag queen. No one is victim, we are all blessed. When democrats stop pointing out the differences amongst people, tensions will subside. Until then you only have democrats to blame because people, especially children don't care about the differences that make us all unique.
Funny thing about that. I guess you don't have a mirror. I thought the United States would never be color blind until the Republicans become color blind.
What’s even funnier is Taffy trying to blame Republicans for Democrat failings. Taffy purposefully forgets Democrats were pro-slavery, zero Democrats voted for the 14th and 15th Amendments, Democrats passed Jim Crow laws, and Democrats founded the KKK to terrorize slaves and to silence Republicans. I think we know who needs a mirror, along with a few history lessons, and it’s not Not So Common.
Jorg, the only controversy regarding the 2nd Amendment and the electoral college comes from democrats who want to change things because it doesn't fit their emotional desires. If you and your liberal brethren want to change things, then simply amend the US Constitution, it's really that easy. It's the same as liberal black robes who make their decisions by twisting logic and applying their desires and emotions rather than the Constitution. Again, apply the Constitution and if something is out of whack or doesn't fit today's evolving United States, then change the law or amend the Constitution.
Regarding mutilating children, coercing children into changing their sex, then force feeding them emotional hormones, then force feeding them real hormone therapy and finally mutilating their genitals is the liberals answer to all of today's children's problems. I'd also consider aborting babies an obvious form of mutilation and the number each year of abortions and sex change mutilation far exceeds the number of children who unfortunately who are killed by a bullet.
Not So: You haven't understood yet how much damage the EC has done, with two incompetent, dishonest Republican minority-selected for the WH?
It is the democrats who put down blacks and people of color by lowering the bar for education, work requirements etc... You and your party don't believe that people of color can exist without special assistance, like they are disabled and unable to think and reason for themselves. But polls show the people of color are tired of being propped up and demeaned by Jorg, Tafhdyd and the entire democrat party and are now starting to see the light is brighter on the conservative side of the fence where the only expectations are that people should be judged by the content of their character, and not the color of their skin.
People of color are not second class as democrats tell them all the time. They are just as able if they apply themselves and make responsible decisions. Conservatives don't make and or accept phony political excuses with the idea of controlling and keep the people of color down. And now Joe Biden is flooding the United States with illegal immigrants, but not for humanitarian reasons, but for political control.
The Republicans fought for the freedom of blacks and won once before and we will keep fighting without excuses until the the chains of the democrat party are broken once and for all.
Exactly what we could expect from a blind-sided Trumpian! Those denying blacks equal education opportunities, including George Wallace, where anything but Republican? And who is trying to rewrite and hide the true black history from Floridians, just to mention some of the more recent attempts at history falsification? And what on flat Earth do you know about my relationship and experience with black people? You haven't even read what I wrote about some of it in my latest book!
Not So common - please remind Jorg that all Southern state governors opposed equal opportunity for all were Democrats, repeat ALL of them! His historical knowledge is, as usual, lacking.
How far back in history did you have to go, Dirk? To the time when the then so-called Southern Democrats were more like the Republicans today, while the then Republican Lincoln had the heart and mind more like today's Democrats? You see, Dirk, history has pretty much turned the D v. R difference around to pretty much the opposite of what it was.
Hilarious, Jorg. You don’t understand how the Second Amendment or the Electoral College works, along with not understanding the definitions of “assault weapon” or “insurrection” or “incendiary” or “credit” to name a few, and you’re expecting us to accept your revisionist racist Democrat history? Um, sorry, your Republican to Democrat switcheroo has been thoroughly debunked (apparently except for those not of the right mind) as are your failed interpretations, bigly, of the Second Amendment and EC.
TY: You still don’t seem to grasp that both the 2nd and EC have been rather controversial, and especially lately when we have seen the enormous damage as a result, - but it doesn’t sound like that bothers you at all, not even the mutilated school children! Lots of books have been written on both of these anachronisms, mainly by authors who point out the obvious problems, esp. that neither does any good whatsoever anymore. But for many short-sighted Republicans, of course, the main thing is to get their cult leader back into the WH, regardless of the cost especially the last two incompetent liars have caused, and now the enormous risk of getting the current R-frontrunner back into the office he was so completely unqualified for, and which he so carelessly misused for his own benefit, or at least what he thought would be beneficial for himself. We’ll see what he feels about what he did when he, hopefully, ends up in prison for the rest of his selfish, destructive life.
Is Mr. Goodman preaching to the choir or is he beating a dead horse? The NAACP has long outlived its purpose. He is now inadvertently reminding us that we are different?
Dirk, I have one question for you. Why did you choose to immigrate to America and not South Africa with the Africana's? Remember the ancestors of the founders of the NAACP were brought here with no choice and all they want is to live together and build a better America.
That is simple. I immigrated because I saw freedom and economic opportunity. The referenced ancestors were already here for a few hundred years and have been given plenty of time and resources to assimilate and become successful. I was at a disadvantage as I needed to learn the ropes in this country, whereas the Blacks already here for generations did not have that obstacle. I was drafted within months of my arrival, served for 4 years in the military and was then entitled to GI Bill benefits. All of my peers had the same opportunities but some apparently decided it was easier to listen to the guidance of the NAACP and subscribe to President Johnson's calamitous welfare programs. Most Africans, if given the opportunity, would prefer to live here regardless of NAACP's insistence that this is a racist country. Biden's open border policy is proving that every day based on Border Patrol data. That these ancestors were brought here without choice is an old saw that defies relevance and is not really much different from the thousands of Chinese, Irish, eastern Europeans and Latino workers who were also involuntary immigrants. They quit complaining and made something of themselves. They built and are building a better America as well. So what is his beef anyway?
I am happy to see that your decision to come to America worked out for you and my Dutch Grandparents in 1912. As for me, I have been exposed to many different cultures and never had to give a second thought for who and what I am. I'm me and I am white and never thought about it until I studied American History and realized how really lucky I am. Please research how those who you say have been free since 1864-1865 were accepted by all whites and allowed the same opportunities we had. All I can say, is there still is a need for the NAACP and I do hope that someday there won't be. May your life continue to be blessed.
Dirk: Have you already forgotten that blacks who served admirably in WWII were denied GI bill benefits that all non-blacks got? And have you forgotten how they were denied educational opportunities, especially in the South, and as recently as the 60’s? Even I, as Nordic white as it is possible to be, was mistaken for being at least half-black, from a photo of a very suntanned me accompanying a piece I wrote about Trump. And did I get it! A commentator responded that he knew everything about me, an uneducated burden on society, living in the basement of my unwed mother, and what to do with me if he ever got his hands around my neck. This was the best part; the rest would be rejected by the DJ editor!
“The White liberal is the worst enemy to America and the worst enemy to the Black man. Let me first explain what I mean by this White liberal. In America there’s no such thing as Democrats and Republicans anymore. That’s antiquated. In America you have liberals and conservatives. This is what the American political structure boils down to among Whites. The only people who are still living in the past and thinks in terms of “I’m a Democrat” or “I’m a Republican” is the American Negro. He’s the one who runs around bragging about party affiliation and he’s the one who sticks to the Democrat or sticks to the Republican, but White people in America are divided into two groups, liberals and Republicans…or rather, liberals and conservatives. And when you find White people vote in the political picture, they’re not divided in terms of Democrats and Republicans, they’re divided consistently as conservatives and as liberal. The Democrats who are conservative vote with Republicans who are conservative. Democrats who are liberals vote with Republicans who are liberals. You find this in Washington, DC. Now the White liberals aren’t White people who are for independence, who are liberal, who are moral, who are ethical in their thinking, they are just a faction of White people who are jockeying for power the same as the White conservatives are a faction of White people who are jockeying for power. Now they are fighting each other for booty, for power, for prestige and the one who is the football in the game is the Negro. Twenty million Black people in this country are a political football, a political pawn an economic football, an economic pawn, a social football, a social pawn. - Malcolm X
Excellent guest perspective, Mr. Goodman. Your piece outlines the reasons we need to continue recognizing the history and the contributions of African Americans in this country. The openly atagonistic response (which was expected; same response as when I wrote about Black History Month several years ago) is further proof of our need to continue highlighting Black History Month. The denial of reality by some people and their preference to discount others' experiences in this country because this isn't their experience has unfortunately grown in recent years in some quarters of our community and of our country. I applaud your hard work and the work of the NAACP in San Mateo County and throughout this nation to counter the ignorance of that perspective.
Dear Reverend - I don't believe anyone is denying the contributions that Blacks have made and are making to better our country. You and the NAACP also insult the majority of Blacks in this country who do not need to be reminded on a daily basis that they are different and need special treatment. Tell me, what demographic in this country or anywhere else has not gone through rough times but survived and flourished?
Hope you're doing well, Reverend Owens.
Thank you, Rev. Owens, I also hope you are doing well.
For Jorg et al - why is it that some feel compelled to ingratiate themselves to the Black community? Let's not kid ourselves, if anyone has ever been in a managerial role or has reported to a Black manager, one would have to agree that skin color played no role whatever in those business relationships. Actually, I am looking forward to the Black community, probably not those who are ardent NAACP members, to recognize that White folks have been instrumental in their lives as well. That should be a natural acknowledgement and I could probably produce quite a few names myself. Now, Jorg will tell you that "some of his best friends are Black" but that appears quite patronizing. Oh, and Jorg, you are still stuck in the sixties, time has apparently passed you by and your revisionist theories are simply a white wash (no pun intended). Your vast circle of highly educated friends must be impressed.
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