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Sam Kenobi
Not a Duke
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Posts: 10373
Location: The 'Verse
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 Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:09 am "Black History is History" |
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This is an artical from The Independant, a Liberal weekly publication here in the Springs. It's about my high school.
| Quote: | Black history is history
Rampart High School won't celebrate Black History Month
by Michael de Yoanna
Juanita Bell believes Black History Month should be celebrated at Rampart High School.
Bruce Elliott
February, many schools proudly teach, is Black History Month -- a time to reflect on the adversities and triumphs of black Americans.
But administrators at the mostly white and affluent Rampart High School in Colorado Springs have decided not to join the celebration. Instead, they are sponsoring multicultural festivities on Friday, provoking criticism from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which says Black History Month enhances the education of everyone, not just blacks.
"Not to celebrate it somehow, some way, is to negate it," said Rev. Benjamin L. Reynolds, president of the local chapter of the NAACP. "In this diverse community, schools must highlight it in some way."
Nanette Anderson, a spokeswoman with District 20, defended Rampart's decision. The multicultural gala will include a talent show that recognizes the cultures of students of all backgrounds.
"Students and staff have done this for several years," Anderson said.
But Reynolds said the NAACP and other black leaders plans to seek a meeting with school administrators to discuss how black history is acknowledged at the school.
Two years ago, Juanita Bell, who is black and has a granddaughter at Rampart, noticed the school wasn't observing Black History Month. She approached administrators, asking them to reconsider.
"I wasn't asking for a month, I just thought it would be nice if they recognized black history for one day," she said. "Without black history, I think students are being mis-educated."
But administrators told her she would have to wait a year. When Bell inquired this month to see if the school would acknowledge Black History Month, administrators told her they had planned the talent show, which in the past has included Irish step dancing, karate demonstrations, Latin dance and even pop music.
"It's fallen into the category of a regular talent show," said Alexandra Morgan, a black student who graduated Rampart with honors last year and is one of Bell's granddaughters. "Some people come up and just sing any old song off the radio. ... Somewhere it's lost its purpose."
Morgan agrees that celebrating all cultures is important. Yet worries that the particulars of black history are being downplayed or even overlooked.
"In this case, (Bell and her granddaughter) have a different perspective," Anderson said. "The school is not distancing itself from any celebration. I think they're trying to be inclusive."
But Bell thinks there should be room for both the talent show and recognition of Black History Month.
"In this day and age with diversity so important in the workplace, if they don't learn about it in high school, where will they learn it?" Bell said.
A racial breakdown for Rampart isn't available, Anderson said, but overall the school district is 84 percent white and 4.8 percent black.
Morgan said those numbers are sometimes used to justify the few opportunities there are at Rampart to study black history in depth. She said the lack of black history at Rampart led her to shun recruiters from Ivy League schools and to enroll in Benedict College, a historic black college in South Carolina.
Benedict "recognizes Black History Month and we're all black," Morgan said. "Why can't Rampart say a few words?"
Black history celebrations date to 1926, when historian Carter Woodson rallied fellow blacks to broaden their understanding of their contributions to American history. Fifty years later, Americans embraced Black History Month.
-- Michael de Yoanna |
This makes me laugh and mad at the same time. We've always held the "Multicultural Show" in February, and as far as I was concerned, there was always plenty about Black History. We have the multicultural show, specialty in-class lessons about it, and a very elaborate Black History Month display case. What made me mad, though, is that the paper is trying to make my old HS sound really racist. Like... what does it matter if our school population is 84% white? It's not the school's fault where people live.
Anyway, There's this other school about ten mile south of here called Mitchell, and it's probably the closest place to a "majority of blacks" school as we have. I have a friend who used to go there and get this- he said that the only celebration of Black History done there was a display case holding
1) a picture of Martin Luther King Jr.
2) A picture of Louis Armstrong
3) a Lt. Uhura barbie doll
So... whatever you want to think about that. It just annoys me.
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:14 am |
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What month is Hispanic history month? Asian? Jewish? Muslim?
How about White history month?
Are there enough months? History is history, we should not have times to focus on one groups over another, instead we should be learning all history at all times.
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Defiant
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 04 Jul 2001
Posts: 15946
Location: Oregon City, OR
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| Thu Feb 24, 2005 1:16 am |
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I agree with that. Black History month is total BS. It should definetly be multicultural month, because we dont have a hispanic history month! Stuff like that, it only promotes segregation, rather than what they truly are trying to accomplish with it.
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lionhead
Rear Admiral
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 4020
Location: The Delta Quadrant (or not...)
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| Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:47 am |
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Yeah, only black history is foolish, of course you have too teach it but not separately.
Then again, if you have White history lessons you will be only learning about war  .
-------signature-------
Never explain comedy or satire or the ironic comment. Those who get it, get it. Those who don't, never will. -Michael Moore
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Natira
The Cute One
Joined: 15 Jul 2001
Posts: 5407
Location: Wrapped around Bella's little finger!
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| Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:28 pm |
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I have to agree that it's made too much of an issue lately. I'm not saying that there isn't any racial warfare, but geez, how many streets buildings etc. do we need named after Martin Luther King Jr.?
I feel like black history is pushed in my face. I'm not nor have I ever been racist, so it's not fair for me to have to constantly hear about how my ancestors had slaves. I'm not responsible for them, only for myself. Stop punishing the children and grand children for the parents/grandparents mistakes.
If I knew how to stop racial violence, I would, but come on people, in all these years, Black History Month hasn't stopped it, so lets look for a different approach.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:48 pm |
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I agree with most of you all. Black History Month is not fair to all the races. They get their own month and all I see them do is complain. "Figures the White man gives us the shortest month of the year." WTF? That seems ungrateful. No other race has their own month. There should be a month that celebrates your culture, for ALL people.
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Pah-Wraith
Sheikh
Joined: 30 Nov 2001
Posts: 6012
Location: Londonistan.
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| Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:10 pm |
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| LightningBoy wrote: | What month is Hispanic history month? Asian? Jewish? Muslim?
How about White history month?
Are there enough months? History is history, we should not have times to focus on one groups over another, instead we should be learning all history at all times. |
Muslim- Normally the Month of Muharram which was this month this year.
Asian- dunno, the Malaysians had a Cultural History week in December, the Filipinos normally do it on July 12th-24th.
Jewish- I got invited to the Local Chaplaincy for a Jewish History week series of seminars (Mon-Fri) during the Week before the commemoration of Aushwitz Camp being abolished.
Dunno about Hispanic. 
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:17 pm |
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| Pah-Wraith wrote: | Muslim- Normally the Month of Muharram which was this month this year.
Asian- dunno, the Malaysians had a Cultural History week in December, the Filipinos normally do it on July 12th-24th.
Jewish- I got invited to the Local Chaplaincy for a Jewish History week series of seminars (Mon-Fri) during the Week before the commemoration of Aushwitz Camp being abolished.
Dunno about Hispanic. |
Notice all that you said is not recognized Racial months in the United States.
Muslim-Ok Muslims have that month, but no one knows about that except Muslims. It isn't nationally known. I didn't even know about it until you mentioned it. Everyone knows about Black History month and everyone is meant to celebrate it.
Asian-That doesn't represent all of Asia and is only a week.
Jewish-Again, its not a month, its a week.
Hispanic-We get selling oranges ont he highway and hearings from Senator Boxer year round.
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:58 pm |
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Lets not forget that black history month started out as negro history week. And lets not forget that in schools, we are constantly learning about the history of other nations. This is about a race that makes up a large portion of our country.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 6:26 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | Lets not forget that black history month started out as negro history week. And lets not forget that in schools, we are constantly learning about the history of other nations. This is about a race that makes up a large portion of our country. |
Ok, it started out as Negro history week. So what? Maybe the other week stuff will change into a month but until they do, im going to keep complaining. You're learning the history of other nations in schoo? Again so what? That doesn't teach you about the deep richness and culture of other nations. There is a lot more to each culture then ancient history. Black history teaches you about the beauty of the black culture, not just its history. They make up a large portion? Again so what? Whites and Hispanics do too. Where is there history month? Asians make a considerable portion as well. Besides its not about the "portion" size anyways. Its about recognizing that this great country is made up of many people. Thats why we should have a multi-cultural month.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 6:48 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | Lets not forget that black history month started out as negro history week. And lets not forget that in schools, we are constantly learning about the history of other nations. This is about a race that makes up a large portion of our country. |
What do the things tought in our schools have to do with naming a month "Black History Month"? We are taught American History, and World History. I am sure (aka: know for a fact) what needs to is covered.
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 6:59 pm |
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| Founder wrote: | | 4evajaneway wrote: | | Lets not forget that black history month started out as negro history week. And lets not forget that in schools, we are constantly learning about the history of other nations. This is about a race that makes up a large portion of our country. |
Ok, it started out as Negro history week. So what? Maybe the other week stuff will change into a month but until they do, im going to keep complaining. You're learning the history of other nations in schoo? Again so what? That doesn't teach you about the deep richness and culture of other nations. There is a lot more to each culture then ancient history. Black history teaches you about the beauty of the black culture, not just its history. They make up a large portion? Again so what? Whites and Hispanics do too. Where is there history month? Asians make a considerable portion as well. Besides its not about the "portion" size anyways. Its about recognizing that this great country is made up of many people. Thats why we should have a multi-cultural month. |
We aren't that enriched during black history month either.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:39 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | We aren't that enriched during black history month either. |
We are enough. Maybe you just don't care enough to learn about it. I know enough as do many others. Could we stand to learn more? Hell YES. But that doesn't mean its time to make a month excluding all other races.
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:41 pm |
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Did it ever occure to you that maybe, the black people are just more important to america?
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Sam Kenobi
Not a Duke
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Posts: 10373
Location: The 'Verse
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:43 pm |
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(this is what I would sarcastically reply in real life.)
Maybe if we let everyone hold whites as slaves, then we could have a White history month. Then we'll go to the hispanics and then the Asains. You know. It's not like the rest of the races helped build the country with the sweat on their backs at all.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:43 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | Did it ever occure to you that maybe, the black people are just more important to america? |
Wow what a racist thing to say. So everyone else is what then?Just other races here? Its because of narrow mindedness like that, there is still prejudice and segregation.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:44 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | Did it ever occure to you that maybe, the black people are just more important to america? |
Are you Black? I'm guessing yes. That is a ridiculous comment. Racist too.
--EDIT--
| Founder wrote: | | 4evajaneway wrote: | | Did it ever occure to you that maybe, the black people are just more important to america? |
Wow what a racist thing to say. So everyone else is what then?Just other races here? Its because of narrow mindedness like that, there is still prejudice and segregation. |
EXACTLY.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Sam Kenobi
Not a Duke
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Posts: 10373
Location: The 'Verse
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:47 pm |
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No, she's not black. She's just fooling herself that she's not even a touch racist. Because racism can only happen to minorities, right Catie?
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Zeke Zabertini
Captain
Joined: 13 Sep 2002
Posts: 4832
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:48 pm |
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While I'm not prepared to say that any group is more or less important than another, I do not place my support behind things that give recognition or preference to one group over another. That brings me against affirmative action and ethnic quotas, but it also places me opposite things like... well... Black History Month.
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:49 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | | 4evajaneway wrote: | | Did it ever occure to you that maybe, the black people are just more important to america? |
Are you Black? I'm guessing yes. That is a ridiculous comment. Racist too. |
I'm aware that its a racist comment, and that is why I made it. And for the record, I'm Mediteranian.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:50 pm |
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| 4evajaneway wrote: | | Republican_Man wrote: | | 4evajaneway wrote: | | Did it ever occure to you that maybe, the black people are just more important to america? |
Are you Black? I'm guessing yes. That is a ridiculous comment. Racist too. |
I'm aware that its a racist comment, and that is why I made it. And for the record, I'm Mediteranian. |
Because you're racist? That's why you made it?
And okay, but I agree with Zeke. NO RACE is superior to the other.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:54 pm |
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I made it to prove a point. Perhaps the African Americans are more important to use because they are a large part of our history, and they are integrated into our society more so than hispanics, so their history is esentially our history.
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Sam Kenobi
Not a Duke
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Posts: 10373
Location: The 'Verse
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:55 pm |
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I'm reminded of some lyrics to a great song
"Everyone's a little bit racist - it's true.
But everyone is just about a racist as you.
If we all could just admit
that we are racist a little bit,
and everyone stop being so decieved...
mabye we could live in harmony!
(Everyone's a ritter bit lacist)"
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:56 pm |
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You know, this reminds me of a theory to which I disagree with, from a colleague of mine: Everyone IS racist. They only like their own country. Like Americans are racist against everyone else. As are the French. And the British, etc.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:57 pm |
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Yes, somewhere deep down in our hearts, we believe we are better than everyone else, same thing happens with religion.
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