WVSU Yellow Jacket — Black History? White History? Who cares?
By Sean Rose
It’s Black History Month again, and we are going full steam ahead into celebrating the heritage of the Black race. But wait a second, there is no White or Hispanic History Month that I know of, so what is the big deal that we need this month long block of remembrance?
First, I have real mixed feeling on the subject. I know there were many points brought out last year during Black History Month that emphasize a so-called bias or prejudice against Blacks or other minorities. Well, yeah. I feel like screaming "duh^2" to the very tiptop of my lungs in the most Alicia Silverstone ditz voice I can muster.
People shouldn’t be racist. That’s a fact. People shouldn’t judge others on their looks, the money they make, the people they date, the brand of clothes they wear, the type of music they like, the car they drive, how bad of an accent they have, how they chew their food with their mouth open, how they might have been born mentally or physically challenged, how they were born in a redneck state like West Virginia and couldn’t have a clue about the real world, and on and on and on. You get the idea? No amount of preaching and teaching is going to change human nature to judge people. I don’t judge people on their skin color, but I sure do judge people on how they carry themselves and how they act. I am proud of it. I can like whom I want and not like whom I want. That’s the beauty of this great land of ours.
So, why the big Gala? To push the atrocities of the past on people of today? Hitler’s persecution isn’t remembered with a month long celebration of his demise, is it? It must be a celebration about Civil Rights. Oh, I see. Well, where does the term Black fit in to that? Women were as powerless in "White Male Dominated Western Civilization" as any other minority. There isn’t a month-long celebration about women’s civil rights, though they must do something because I hear a mumble about it now and again.
You see the problem? Calling it Black History Month automatically separates every other minority/race/creed and makes it ineffective, because only Blacks care. So why isn’t it Civil Rights History Month? That’s what it is all about, right? I think so, and I think the name should be changed. The celebration would have more purpose and appeal across the board to everyone. Excellent.
Okay, before you jump up out of your seat, I know the question. "What about all the contributions of Black writers, teachers, scientists, etc...?" Well, yeah, exactly, "What?" That’s American history. That’s African history. That’s wherever that person lived or what they did history. It doesn’t matter at all if that person was Black or White, male or female. Thinking like that only promotes racism; it doesn’t help destroy it.
So people, think of this month as Civil Rights Month, and remember we are all created equal. What we do with it after that is left up to us. Also, instead of wasting your precious time about how you didn’t get hired at the Save-A-Dollar store because the manager is racist, focus on the real issues in America affecting us all, like that damn Confederate flag that flies over the capitol in South Carolina. That offends me. It should offend you. And then do something good for all of us.
"This viewpoint article was one of the most controversial articles ever to appear in the Yellow Jacket. I had numerous threats to my physical well being by people missing the point, but more importantly, it created a campus wide open dialog on race relations that carried on for months in letters to the editor, in the classroom and in public spaces. It certainly wasn't my original intent, but it was a very nice accomplishment none-the-less. My response as published the following week is below." - S. Rose 2007
It seems that my article “Black History? White History? Who cares?” was taken by most in the wrong way. That is unfortunate. I wrote the article to further the thought of a “raceless” society, which is the only way people will truly be equal. I am very disappointed in the quickness of people to judge and utterly amazed at the lack of open dialogue that takes place on the WVSC campus.
I have been called a “racist” and other expletives not fit for publication in the student paper, as well as having a friend tell me, “I am not sure I want to be acquainted with you” as he walked away. The disturbing fact of that is this so-called friend is a very open member of a minority group that I defended in my editorial last week. Further, I have defended him in less than politically correct situations. I have been criticized by less than open-minded individuals for interacting with him and I have dismissed all of their stereotypes and remarks. As I said, it’s all very disappointing. However, it does prove my point that Black History Month isn’t about equality at all, or else I would not have to listen to such non-sense.
My initial reaction to the responses was to let the article stand on its own and let the discussion of it play out. I thought that way people would form their own ideas and talk with each other about racism in general and maybe that would help break down some of the barriers between us. However, people didn’t understand it. So here goes again. The fact is Black History is no better than White History or vice-versa. A black man says to a white man, “You have to appreciate me for my accomplishments and my history because I am black” is NO better than a white man saying to a black man “I do not have to appreciate your accomplishments and your history because you are black.” Both statements are downright silly. No one HAS to do anything. People should admire you because they have respect for you based on your own actions. For those readers out there that missed the point of my previous article - Race does not matter. Skin color does not matter. Anyone who disagrees with that is a racist, no matter what the color of his or her skin. Why is that so difficult for people to understand?
I am glad Black History Month has brought about all of this conflict. The stimulation of the human mind is a good thing. It also gives me hope that I may see a day when society doesn’t need labels for race or even have a classification for race. I guess that thought is beyond the scope of most of our students at the moment though. That is a shame. It seems to me, as humans, we all would want that. -Sean Rose
I am an american artist.
Thank you for spending your time and hard earned money with me, here and in the real world. You can contact me, hire me, read about me or just check out my jeep.
