quote:
What is Black History Month then? A celebration of being black and celebrating the accomplishments of black folks.

Oh nm, it's only racist if whites are involved. Sorry.

Black history month exists because the overwhelming majority of people in this country with African heritage have absolutely no idea where in Africa they came from (besides the vague "western Africa"). Unlike Irish Americans, Anglo Americans, German Americans, etc, they have no ties to specific regions or cultures in Africa because they were brought here as slaves. They were given Christian names and completely removed from their heritage, so they collectively have "black" heritage--that's the only concrete tie they have to Africa.

White Americans, on the other hand, usually have a good idea of their ethnic heritage. For instance, I know that my background is primarily Scottish, Irish, and English. My parents have done extensive genealogy and I can trace parts of my family back a thousand years. I know I have ancestors who immigrated from Ireland and fought with the rebels in the American Revolution. I've traveled to the region in Scotland where my surname comes from.

There is no "white history" month because white people in America can celebrate their specific heritage in a way that black Americans cannot. My hometown in Arkansas has a Scottish Festival every year. Many cities celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

I don't see why there's a problem with Black History Month. African Americans are somewhat unique in the world in that they do not have a heritage they can easily trace back to a homeland. They just have black history in America.

This post was edited on 2/1/17 at 3:28 pm