Black History Month

February a short month dedicated to many men and women who have contributed greatly to American society. It is Black History month. Although some individuals question why an entire month needs to be dedicated to the study of famous black inventors, I am not one. I clearly understand the continued need for this month of study.

I grew up in elementary school learning of all the famous deeds of individuals like Betsy Ross, George Washington, Eli Whitney and the like. When February came around I finally saw people with my skin color who contributed to society. The names of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King and George Washington Carver became familiar to the other children in the room. I could finally completely identify with success and discuss these people with others. Of course, it was only during February as these individuals rarely resurfaced during the course of a school year.

As my educational career continued, I noticed that every February the same names were used and reused where as the famous non black inventors, creators and history makers grew and changed. I was fortunate enough to have a family immersed in the idea that I needed to know the entire spectrum of history. The library was my friend. Where were the names of such individuals as Garrett Morgan, Sarah Goode, Daniel Hale Williams, Miriam Benjamin and Charles Drew? http://yoliseclectic-central.blogspot.com/2012/02/charles-drew.html No where to be seen in my childhood and sparingly doled out today.

We continue to need this important month to truly allow this country to recognize all the contributions that it's citizens have made. Currently a movie is in theaters called Red Tails. It documents the history of the First Black Military Airmen. That's right the Tuskegee Airman were an all black World War Two flying force that consisting of over 1,000 individuals from 1941-1946. They escorted bombers and had one of the Lowest loss records of all the escorting corps. It amazes me that we are just now getting around to a mass telling of this story and that more individuals did not even know of their existence.

We need to find a way to stop revisionist and exclusionary history from continuing. There is plenty of room in the history books for All of America's famous individuals. Adding another line or two, another page or two to update the history books would make the world a better place. Until we do make room for the real facts, I am glad we have Black History Month.