Why We Celebrate Black History Month
- Details
- Parent Category: Politics & the Law
- Category: Social Commentary
- Published on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 23:58
- Written by A C Powell
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George Santayana warned that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Born Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás in Madrid, Santayana became a central figure in American classical philosophy despite not being an American citizen. A philosopher and poet, Santayana appeared on the cover of Time and wrote two best-selling books. His 1936 novel, The Last Puritan, was even nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Santayana proudly retained his Spanish citizenship until his death in 1952 at the age of 89. According to many observers, Santayana’s sense of being an outsider in America, due to his Hispanic heritage, allowed him to capture qualities of American life often missed or ignored by American scholars. To this day, George Santayana is considered to be the foremost Hispanic American philosopher of the twenty century. Santayana’s prominence serves as another reminder that America’s strength lies in her diversity; moreover, the maxim for which he is best known serves to remind us all why Black History Month should be observed by all Americans.
Black History Month has nothing at all to do with reverse racism. Reverse racism is itself an ideologically perverse construct conceptualized by petty minds whose sadistically insensitive diatribes seep into the American social discourse when all other manner of worthy philosophical exchange begins to synthesize into a higher stream of collective consciousness. In other words, reverse racism becomes an imaginary hold card that some social commentators (like many of the “talking-heads” who work for Fox News) use to “bluff” their opponents into short-circuiting otherwise positive dialogue. Understanding American history from the perspective of American citizens of African descent provides valuable lessons for all Americans, lessons that not only illuminate our past while making sense of our present but also aid in carving out a brighter future for ourselves and our posterity. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all people of African descent living in America to take particular note of the life and achievements of George Santayana and realize that it is “ok” to be proud of the richness of our Pan-African heritage.
The words of George Santayana hit very close to home in the American context. Did you know that
the almost daunting consumerism displayed by the African American community takes root in American chattel slavery? Many enslaved Africans along with their descendants spent whatever money they had on goods, seeing no value in saving due to the belief they would never be able to save enough money to purchase their own freedom; furthermore, many enslaved Africans bore a morbid sense of reality based on a short life expectancy, brought poignantly to fruition by the practice of many slave owners throughout the southern United States to simply and literally work the enslaved Africans to death. Such slave owners would refuse to provide adequate housing, food, medical attention or clothing for their slaves, finding it cheaper to simply replace enslaved Africans in the same manner as worn-out tools rather than provide these human-beings with proper care. Unfortunately, the national educational system in the United States largely ignores the contributions of African Americans in the development of this great country. Black History Month provides some American students with their only glimpse into the struggles and accomplishments of African Americans that helped to produce the America from which the entire world benefits today. What would modern urban planning be without the genius of Benjamin Banneker? Where would Thomas Edison’s place in history be if Lewis Howard Latimer had kept silent? Would untold Americans, black and white, be able to enjoy the fullness of their civil liberties were it not for the steadfastness of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Thurgood Marshall? How would we judge the American thespian without with the artistry of Paul Robeson? Now, know this. If you failed to recognize any of the historical figures aforementioned here, your own personal lack of knowledge exemplifies the continued relevance and necessity of celebrating Black History Month.
Amir Clayton Powell is an author, advocate, entrepreneur, father, husband, servant of God, and warrior. By the by, he also happens to be the Publisher of The Old School Journal™ (TOSJ) as well as the Founder & Chairman of A C Powell & Co. LLC. Find A C on Twitter: @AClaytonPowell. Follow TOSJ on Facebook & Twitter.
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