I can't even believe the ignorance, yes, ignorance of half the people on this site. Where should I start? First of all, having a black history month or any other minority history month is not "discriminating" white people. Every month is white history month. Every day is white history day. Our society is based on white people. Second of all, right on MindedChick88 and genergy. Liberalchick...."it's hard to get your culture when all we've been exposed to is rediculous rappers and the handful of black people in our schools." That's just stupid. All you've been "exposed" to. Get your butt out and expose yourself to some other black people. And what the hell do you mean "your culture". That's a separtist attitude. We're all people. Get a life. Clowdy, I agree with everything except "they were/ are just protecting what they have faught for so long to gain in the begining." The people who started slavery were lazy bullies. They had to have someone else build their country for them. That's just sad. Veganqueen, you're absolutely right. Same to fwegan. Outspokenme...you never have to "find" anything on white history. That's what predominates everything. You shouldn't have to "search" for history of minorities. Shouldn't it be more balanced? I may get crap for saying this, but I feel that a lot of white people aren't for minority months because it threatens their position in society. Instead of the white person getting all the credit, it would be someone else. And I feel like that makes some of you insecure.

As there are more than 12 cultures, clearly, you cannot have one for every month. Although both sides brought up good points, I'll have to side with Bushsupporter (for the most part) on this one.

I feel that History, of all peoples, should be taught in History class. From my understanding, this is the way it's done. When I was in US History, we learned about important figures, African-American, Chinese, Martian whatever. We learned about the cruelty of slavery, the enslavement of Native Americans, all that stuff.

As for celebrating other nationalities (cultures, etc, too), there's Greek Fest, and Irish Fest, and OktoberFest and all that kinda stuff. You just have to find it.

*outspokenme*

Because the eleven other months are white history months.


Love, Jenny

Unfortunately, African history is breezed over, in most schools. African empires like Kush, Mali, Ghana, and a myriad of others are virtually nonexistent in our schools' curriculum! All I've learned from my history teacher is that the empire of Ghana was a major exporter of iron ore. Wow, that really gives me alot of information about their culture. The fact that our proud, sophisticated, ancestors' kingdoms are rarely incorporated in the cuuriculum, is purely insulting to the black race. We honestly shouldn't have to celebrate Black History Month, we should have an ethnically/culturally balanced, history and english curriculums in our school, but we don't. And for that reason, we need to teach our children the cultures of other people, besides Europeans and white Americans. If the only way we can get our students educated about brown/black people by designating an entire month to one culture's history, than so be it. However, I think all over America, there needs to be pressure put on school boards to adopt a more ethnically balanced curriculum. I've contacted my school board(Fairfax County School Board) concerning the lack of various culutres' histories being taught in the schools, and am anxiously awaiting their response. I urge all people, whether they are black, white, asian, hispanic, or native american, to recognize the significance of a culturally balanced curriculum in their school districts.

I personally enjoy black history month because if you think about it that is the month that you really get to learn about my heritage. Usually you learn about the history of america, which I can say usually doesn't involve afican americans in a positive way. At least this way it is in a positive light, showing us successfully. But I disagree when people think that they show "whites" as always being violent. I think that they were/ are just protecting what they have faught for so long to gain in the begining. So in my opinion no one is to blame.

I feel so normal . . . I'm not in the minority, so I jsut fall back into the background. I'm percieved as the ignorant white girl who is bi+ching about the racism white people supposedly face. Well you know what, I'm tired of being just like every other white girl. We're not all the same! I feel trapped in my race's cruel past. I just wanna scream "I'M NOT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, I'M DIFFERENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" But I don't . . . I just wish that black people could understand where we're coming from, that it's hard to get your culture when all we've been exposed to is rediculous rappers and the handful of black people in our schools. It's just plain hard.

One of the main reasons Black people have had to start their own clubs, organizations, month, etc. is because they were never permitted to participate in the white clubs, organizations, months, etc. How much Black history have you learned in school? How much do you really know about the Montgomery Bus Boycott? (just one example)Before Tiger Woods, did you know of any Black golfers...that's because Black people were not allowed in country clubs unless they were there to clean. What about Black swimmers? They were never allowed to swim at the white pools...most Black people over the age of 40 don't know how to swim, unless they learned in recent years...they never had any place they were allowed to learn. (they sure didn't know when they were young!) Black people have a "rich" history in our country and very few people know anything about it. Black history month's purpose is for education...one can never be educated enough in this world. Why do you care that it's called Black History Month...why not seize the opportunity to educate yourselves, instead of worrying about whose month it is?

I think that yes every culture should have a month.BUT why is it that you have to have one because every one else does?Every day is White Day to some people.Latinos have Cinco De Mayo.They have other holidays in other countries where the minorities of this country all live.I am African American and I feel this month should be here.If you want a Latino Month or Caucasian month then write the President or something like that.Celebrate your race but don't put other races down.

I understand the feeling of minorities having a certain month or club or magazine, but in truth, it is in a way discriminating "white" people. I'm hispanic, and I don't feel the need to recieve a grant just because I am hispanic, I want to get it because I earned it. Just because white men wrote a bunch of history books doesn't mean my heritage is less important, I just show people who and what I am. I celebrate me, and don't feel sorry for myself.

Black history month is to honor the african americans that fought for freedom for their race. I think it's appropriate. Not saying that there shouldn't be a special month for every culture, but the people that need to be honored will and always have been honored in history. If a bunch of norwiegian (sp?) americans do something drastic in this country, well you guys will make it in the history books and most likely have a month for you guys.

I agree. My sister wanted to join this one club but they wouldnt let her 'cause she was white. If i went to africa andasked to form a wite people club would they say ok or make sure us white people arent trying to form a antiblack club right under there noses????????? You have to wonder

Good point. I didn't mean to sound like I did about African- Americans in our history and such. And yes, I know slavery isn't the only thing african americans were involved in. I hope I don't sound racist or anything, I have 3 siblings who are African- American. I think a whole cultural heritage month would be a cool idea to learn and share our cultures with each other.

Nothing is preventing him from celebrating..but there is no nationally declared history month for his culture, is what I understand he is saying.

First...they North vs South thing in the Civil War was strictly a politcal and economic fight. The south felt the north was controlling politics and purposely trying to destroy the south's main cashflow: agriculture.

Why do we not celebrate British history month? hey, they established colonies...imported the African Americans that we celebrate into the colonies, have many celebratory figures, and also had to deal with adversity (getting butts kicked in the the Revolutionary War).

Afther that, Irish history month, celebrating the pilgrimage of the irish to the US during the potato famine.

Or Native American month, where the heritage and culture of the real natives of this country are respected and celebrated, and they struggles they have to deal with today just to keep that culture alive are told.

Finally, my favorite, Swedish history month...where the term: "eh" is made popular as everyone celebrates the men and women that turned the midwest into the countries "bread basket" by farming grains. Famous Swede: Swedish Chef from the muppets.

I dunno, i am not against black history month...dont get me wrong...but they way you put it Aimee made it sound like African American history is the only thing that should ever be celebrated in the United States. "America would not be what it is today" without any of these other cultures either...famous people or not. All cultures should be respected equally...

I am going to use your point: The US is a melting pot...Perhaps we could have a cultural heritage month?

Finally...i hope that you recognize that slavery isnt the only things african americans were involved in...

Acer

Black History month is important to America because blacks play such an important role in the history of America (slavery). Without slavery, think of how much different America would be today. I know the Civil War wasn't only aobut slavery, but who knows.... maybe the problems betweent the North and South wouldn't have escalated to the Civil War if it wasn't for slavery. Think about the civil rights era. Think of Martin Luther King,Jr., Rosa Parks, anybody in history. America would not be what it is today. Black history has helped shape America, and we should honor the impact it has had. America is a melting pot. How many Norwegian- Americans can you name who have had such a vast impact on America? One more question- who's stopping you from 'celebrating' your history?

I agree with bushsupporter. If we are going to have a month to celebrate one culture we should have a month the celberate evry culture.