A reflection by Maynard
I didn’t want to let Black History Month (February) slip away without comment.
I wonder what we really get out of such events. Is it more than listening to a few factoids about the accomplishments of African-Americans? These details are all well and good, but it feels more like another sop to a special interest, rather than an effort to truly enlighten.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got nothing against cultural celebrations, and I’m a fan of history. My concern is that the neo-pagan spirit of this misguided era emphasizes our physical differences (race, gender, ethnicity, financial status) while denying the common ideals and structures upon which our civilization is based.
Since America was founded upon Judeo-Christian ideals, why isn’t there, for example, something akin to a “Judeo-Christian History Month”? Any such proposal would of course incite an instant litany of objections along the lines that an official celebration would be unnecessary, inappropriate, and illegal. Okay, I understand the argument, but you can’t have it both ways. Do we really want to build a society that endlessly celebrates variations in skin pigmentation and other mechanical details, but then huffs and puffs about how terribly wrong it is to encourage and share common transcendental values? What priorities are we implicitly expressing by encouraging the one and banning the other? Aren’t we validating mankind’s base tribal instincts while suppressing our most sublime aspirations?
Ethnic history celebrations are a platform for the various representatives to pump us up with tales of triumph. This makes me think about what message a hypothetical Judeo-Christian History Month might attempt to convey. At the core of it, my guess would be we’d hear less about the great things Jews and Christians have done, and more about our shortcomings and the perils of sin. Consider how the major characters of the Old Testament fall far short of glory. These people often went seriously astray, and the Bible leaves us to ponder their mistakes as well as their roles in God’s plan.
Consider the Patriarchs. Abraham tried to force the hand of God by procreating inappropriately with his wife’s handmaiden. Isaac was deceived into blessing Jacob instead of Esau, causing the wrong son to carry on the Jewish line. Jacob loved the children of his favorite wife more than those of his other wife, which was why Joseph ended up being sold into slavery by resentful siblings. The Biblical tales go on and on in this vein. It’s a fair summary to observe that our spiritual history, as God would have us know it, was hugely shaped by imperfect and dysfunctional people whose failings brought troubling consequences to themselves and others. (In fact, I’ve heard it suggested that the imperfect nature of the Biblical personages is strong testimony to the Divine nature of the text: In that if a people were writing their own history (as opposed to having the Word given them by God), they would certainly portray their vital ancestors in a better light.) The essential lesson of the Bible is not that our ancestors were perfect, but that all actions have consequences and there is no escaping justice.
I think that tells us what would come out of a Judeo-Christian History Month: Not “How great I am (and I’d be even greater if not for you holding me down)”, but “How I can do better (and you can too)”.
I don’t know whether we need a Judeo-Christian History Month. I can only tell you, for what it’s worth, that I graduated from public schools not knowing anything about Judaism or Christianity (except as a basis for historical conflict). I was dutifully instructed, however, that a gentleman of African descent invented the peanut.
Tammy, I completely agree. I have never understood the point of this celebration. I wonder why we can’t just have “history”. I think the important contributions made by Black Americans should not be overlooked; it should be incorporated. As a parent, it is interesting to watch the yearly onsluaght of coloring assignmets and essays that become a mandatory show of reverence for the black community.
However, its almost disturbing to watch their initiation into this school experience. As each has entered kindergarten he has come home to explain all about slavery having no concept that it was many years ago. It seems the jist of school history during this month (and more and more every month), is becoming a lesson in seperation emphasizing the shortcomings of the caucasian male. I have 3 sons and often wonder how I teach them self pride when society seems to be telling them its wrong or racist to be proud of their own heritage.
Is it really phenominally historical for a black man to win an Oscar? Really, or coach a superball team? Did it have anything to do with their being black? I would say it should be accepted without a racial label. Likewise, IMO for women, we needn’t point out every time the first on sneezes as a female win in the fight against the white male. Perhaps if we as a nation could stop pointing out the differences in skin tone we could get to the heart of more important issues.
Great stuff, Maynard. Agree wholeheartedly. Struck by this part in particular:
“In fact, I’ve heard it suggested that the imperfect nature of the Biblical personages is strong testimony to the Divine nature of the text: In that if a people were writing their own history (as opposed to having the Word given them by God), they would certainly portray their vital ancestors in a better light.”
Wonderful point that I never considered. Thanks.
In Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, he said he hoped we’d reach a time in this country when people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
So I wonder what Dr King would think of “Black History Month?”
And for those who didn’t know this, Martin Luther King was a Republican.
http://politics.netscape.com/story/2006/08/15/why-martin-luther-king-was-republican/
Personally, I’m looking forward to May- National Tavern Month.
I just happened to come across this website and saw some of these comments. I do look forward to the day that we don’t have to have a month to celebrate a certain group’s history. But, let’s be honest, I lot of things about the history of black people, as well as other minority groups, are not taught in history class, besides the standard MLK Jr., some stuff about slavery, Japanese Internment camps during WWII, etc. When you don’t read a lot of positive stories about people who look like you, and all you read about are great Presidents, inventors, who are all white, that does do something to psyche.
My father honestly had to teach me about my own history, because the school system lacked to teach it. And since he taught me about my history, I’ve learned the amazing things and stories about what those before me had done, and it shows you positive qualities about your people, instead of the negative images you see and hear about.
And to comment on Sue’s statement — is it phenomenal for a black actor to win an Oscar, or to coach a Super Bowl, just because they’re black? But is it phenomenal when a crime is committed by a black person, and to focus on that because that person is black? What I’m saying is there are people out there who focus on blacks/latinos doing negative things, citing stats about how many are in prison, etc., but then they complain about people making a big deal about a black person accomplishing something positive?
But, like I said, one day, I would like to see race out of the picture, but honestly with some of these comments I see on here, as well as what I hear on t.v./radio, coming from both the left and the right, I’m not sure that’s going to happen in my lifetime.