by Karl B. Rodney
As we celebrate Black History Month this February there is always those questioning why Black History Month?
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This year, the National news, as it has the last few years, is focused on issues such as George Floyd to this year Tyre Nichols, and so many other tragedies that have been forced into the national conversation and awareness of what it means to be black in America. Carter G. Woodson, the father of black history, felt that black history was needed to remember and celebrate the heritage.
And as he famously said “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. “Well, we see this year Black History Month coincides with the controversy about teaching a broader meaning of African-American studies.
On February 1st, 2023, the college board released their advised curriculum course, newly developed advanced placement African-American study course. The college ward was responding to the political pressure stemming from conservative backlash around critical race theories. Also, the decision by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to ban courses from public high schools in Florida because of what he characterized as radical content and inclusion of topics such as critical race theory, reparations and black life matters.
So we can clearly see the onslaught that is being mobilized around the issue of black history, and its place in the United States and the determined effort by the white supremacists to destroy, remove or diminish the role of blacks in the Americas, and for that matter, in the hemisphere and in the world. And this is why our community readers, and viewers must be armed and ready to not only defend, but promote the history of a people who has suffered, who continue to suffer and whose triumph and contribution needs to be celebrated, applauded, and modeled throughout our consciousness and our lifetime.
So it’ll be protected against the likes of Ron DeSantis and those in America who would like to rewrite history or eliminate the parts of history that they don’t care for This upsurge of racial tension and division being fanned by elements within the United States, makes it even more important that all Americans know the country’s history and the contribution contributions many diverse groups have made to it.
Celebrating black history allows us to, pause, contemplate, study, learn and be knowledgeable in the stories and the achievements and commemorate Black History.
Carib News, considers this its mission through the decades to demonstrate to all that the history of blacks in the United States, the achievements, the struggle, and the continued mobilization and progress made has been a progress where the Caribbean- American, the Caribbean blacks have been a valid partner in this progress partnership that has been based on a heritage, history and the determination of our people to get beyond the suffering, to recognize our own ability and talent, and to move collectively in a strong and determined way.
This partnership goes back centuries from the struggle against slavery to decades, and the mobilization of black consciousness, black awareness and the need for black unity to recent pasts when the mobilization had to be organized around demonstrations.
From Crispus Attucks, the Barbadian, who was the first casualty in the US War of Independence. And so through the decades, seen the Caribbean contribution to black history from Marcus Garvey, The Prophet, originator of Black Consciousness and led the largest black organization throughout the world.
Harry Belafonte who drove and supported the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X, Civil Rights Leader, Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, Shirley Chisholm, Constance Baker Motley and so many more up to and including the current Vice President of United States, Kamala Harris.
The roots are strong and must continue to be strengthened. The need for knowledge and commitment to our own history is critical. And the time, meaning now, is of the essence. And so there is no letting up. There’s no turning. We must see black history as a critical connecting point for us all as black people and continue to press forward in spite of what opposition we might face.
We must remain true to the ideals of Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month.
