Black History Month?

This entry was posted on 9/26/2006 7:39 PM and is filed under General Discussion.

Trackbacks

• No trackbacks exist for this entry.

Comments

• 9/27/2006 9:33 AM Bob Davis, LCDR (Ret.) Desert Storm Era wrote:
  First let me commend you on this wonderful website. I view it quite often and although I’m not African American, I find it educational and informative. I take great interest in your forum issues and I'd like to comment on this current issue.
  
  I for one, think that Black History Month once served the important role of announcing to the world that black history, beyond slavery, even exists. Until the advent of a national Black History Month, non-blacks like me knew very little of the vast contributions of African Americans to this great nation. Like CDR Black, I too make it a point to attend the events each year where I work.
  
  The problem that is that it all has become old news. Each year it's the same old stuff, all centered on the civil rights movement some 50 years ago. Important, yes, but we tend to hear the same speeches, see the same displays, same choirs, and so on. I now practically know it all by heart.
  
  I know that there have been many contributions of African American since, and many more are made each day. This website profoundly celebrates the accomplishments of African Americans today, as well as the past, and it’s refreshing. Perhaps the focus of Black History Month should be celebrating total accomplishments, both past and present.
  
  I also agree that Black History should not be limited to one month but, year round and included more in the classroom for all American children. Perhaps then, we can all better understand that building this great nation was a team effort!
  
  Good luck from a strong supporter and God Bless! Bob Davis, LCDR (Ret.) Desert Storm Era
  Reply to this
• 10/1/2006 8:26 AM Ted K SFC wrote:
  I think African American history month is an important feature in our society, especially the military because it helps educate and motivate many service members who were not. As LCDR Bob Davis stated about to much on the civil rights movement, I concur. I am an Asian, Caucasian father, with children whose mother is Latino so I understand diversity. I am also the Equal Opportunity Representative (EOR) for the largest company in the US Army. I service about 1000 soldiers at any given time.
  
  The thing the chaps my @ss the most about the whole African American history month military celebrations is the fact that all year long I will hear comments like, "it is because their raciest, or it's because I'm black" even in jest. Then I look around at the scheduled "African American military events", and the majority of color I see is white. I don’t believe the showing is an atonement for feelings at heart, I believe it is quest for education and show of unity where as on the other hand I don’t see enough support from the African American military community as a whole. Yes, I believe we have a way to go when you look at Dr. King's vision but we HAVE made enormous steps from where we were. About 5 years ago, I was in a unit that was about 95% white. A young “African American soldier” showed up for his first duty assignment and was assigned to me. I was a SGT at the time so I was getting my first taste of real military leadership. After I gave him his initial counseling we had a man to man talk. I gauged his demeanor as an impressionable young black man. I remember telling him if he wanted to make the military his life, don’t fall in on or off duty with the color of your skin. Fall in with the other soldiers. Don’t forget where you came from, but think about were you want to go. A true leader doesn’t see color, only ability. BE A TRUE LEADER, I PROMISE YOU, I AM.
  
  About a month ago, I was in a gym on post and ran into my old troop. The former PV1 was now a SSG. We talked for a while and just before we parted he said, "I never forgot the talk we had when I came into the Army, I stayed the course. I give it to ALL my new soldiers because that’s what you showed me and that’s what I believe. Thanks’ SGT K".
  
  To me, that is the epitome of the "African American Soldier" and that is the kind of stuff the African American History month should be focused on. True leadership, true loyalty, true soldiering and the benefits to be reached.
  
  Some may not like this comment but I was not the originator. It was Bill Cosby who said stop the pity party and move ahead. I say, Lets roll!!!!!
  Reply to this
• 6/20/2008 8:42 AM Mills wrote:
  I noticed this topic was from 2006 but I must leave a comment. The original post mentioned, "This is the one time of the year when we (Black-Americans) are allowed to openly celebrate our history..." What? Black-Americans and all other minorities can celebrate their heritage any time they want. And they do. The only group that is, by Army regulation, forbidden from celebrating or even mentioning their heritage is White-Americans. This is the race that by-far as contributed more than all other races. A Black American Soldier can freely say, "I am proud of my heritage". But a White-American Soldier, a Soldier from a very productive race, says, "I am proud of my heritage" and the white Soldier will be labled as a racist. These two double standards are alive and well in the US Army and the Equal Opportunity Program supports it and demands that all Soldiers follow it. In fact, the US Army states that minorities cannot even be racist; only whites can. So, stop trying to say African Americans only have a month---you have all year. Stop victimizing yourself and blaming others because doing so does not fix anything. I wrote a book about the double standards in the Army. See the website at: www.eodoublestandard.net.
  Reply to this

Leave a comment