We do not show the Negro how to overcome segregation, but we teach him how to accept it as final and just. – Carter G. Woodson #quote

Lately, I am reminded of my blackness. I like it. I am bold, audacious and fair. My speech and syntax are different. My grammar is a mixture of American, British and Jamaican English, and it is not perfect, but it is my culture.

My strength amazes but my wit, intelligence, and plain-old common sense, are phenomenal.

I tell white folks a smidgeon of my background:

• some are amazed I survived,

• some are impressed with my accomplishments

• some think I am one of kind

• some think I should have severe mental illness given my stressful and traumatic personal history some even think I have hysteria

• some even hate ….because that is who they are.

I tell black folks a smidgeon and more:

All shake their heads in understanding. Understanding of stressful and traumatic environments, places where black dignity, self-confidence, self-pride and community are continuously demolished, denigrated and humiliated. They all have experienced, the Black Experience of blatantly-overt and majority-witnessed abuses and injustices of discrimination at the hands of the greater society that does not care.

( There are significant number of progressives white and non-white folks. They understand the power of cultural diversity and the devastating damage of American history in black culture.)

This month is Black History month. #blackhistorymonth Started by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1826 as “Negro History Week,” the second week in February to coincide with the birthday of two great Human Rights Leaders: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.

Why?

At the time of Negro History Week’s launch Carter Woodson argued teaching black history was essential to ‘ensure the physical and intellectual survival of race within the broader society:

“If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization.” Carter G. Woodson

In 1976, at the bicentennial celebration of this country, Negro History Week was expanded to a month. Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.- President Gerald R. Ford

The differentness of races, moreover, is no evidence of superiority or of inferiority. This merely indicates that each race has certain gifts which the others do not possess. – Carter G. Woodson #quote

http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about.html