Do We Still Need Black History Month?

Shout out to: African American Pundit and Jack & Jill Politics

Black History Month is almost over.  Yesterday, I came across an article on African American Pundit about John McWhorter's and Glenn Loury's New York Times video titled Dump Black History Month. 

Essentially, McWhorter and Loury assert that Black History Month has outlived its usefulness. McWhorter argues that in 2011 America is aware of black history.  According to him, Black History Month is so 1945 or 1975. 

Glenn Loury refers to Black History Month as passe, corny and anachronistic.  Loury went on to complain about black people "clinging to the security blanket of public recognition." According to Loury, instead of "forcing" people to recognize black history, African Americans should "induce" whites to recognize black history. 

Of course, many Americans have a basic understanding of the history of the Civil Rights Movement.  Obviously, Black Month History is about much more than Dr. King, Rosa Parks and We Shall Overcome.  Yes, many people know about black achievements in sports and entertainment. 

However, contrary to McWhorter's assertions, America is not fully aware of Africans' contributions to the human civilization and American society. Many Americans do not know about our accomplishments in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering, philosophy, etc.

Without such historical knowledge, African Americans will not be able to break the "chains of psychological slavery", and whites, even so-called liberals, will continue to consciously or subconsciously believe in the myth of white supremacy.

365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, white history, white culture, white values are thrust upon us. You will never hear those black conservative scholars complaining about that. Yet, they have the audacity to complain about the shortest month in the year being devoted to black history. Without Black History Month, our accomplishments, in fact our very humanity, would be negated.

Good Riddance Dr. Laura!

Yesterday, Dr. Laura Schlissinger announced on Larry King Live that she is ending her radio show because she "wants to regain her First Amendment rights." Dr. Laura said that she wants to be able to say what is on her mind and in her heart without someone getting angry and attacking her affiliates and sponsors. She went on to whine about how her First Amendment rights are being usurped by angry groups that want to eliminate and not debate. Although she acknowledged that she was wrong for repeatedly using the "n" word, Dr. Laura attempted to justify her actions by claiming that she "wasn't dissing anyone".

During the show, Dr. Laura admitted that her sponsors Netflix, Motel 6, Onstar and Advance Auto Parts withdrew their support from the program following her "n" word rant. However, she claimed that her program gained sponsors as well. Who are they?

It is worth noting that renown African American linguist and conservative John McWhorter essentially supports Dr. Laura. In his article on the Root, he actually wishes that Dr. Laura did not apologize. Mr. McWhorter contends that Dr. Laura's African American critics failed to make the distinction between an assertion and a quotation. Contrary to Mr. McWhorter's claims, Dr. Laura was not simply quoting the "n" word. She said the "n" word over 11 times. Her racial insensitivity was on full display. Throughout her conversation with the caller, Dr. Laura repeatedly and dismissively described African Americans as "hypersensitive". She went on to say that maybe such "hypersensitive" people should not marry outside of their own race. She further asserted that African Americans voted for Barack Obama solely based on his race and not based on the issues. Clearly, she was expressing racial animus.

For those reasons, I salute Media Matters for launching the boycott. I commend Dr. Laura's sponsors for pulling from the program. Although Dr. Laura has a First Amendment right to use offensive and racist words, her critics have the same First Amendment right and responsibility to express their outrage. Good riddance Dr. Laura! At least for now.