IT'S FUNNY how some people with the greatest ease can take a dignified occasion and mangle its worth. Americans are no exception to that occurrence, as we demonstrate annually. Black History Month is commemorated every February in the United States, and institutions from schools and television stations to the federal government aim to honor the history and illustrious personages of the African-American community. The concept of a month of education and recognition of some long-neglected aspects of America's past is faultless in itself. The problem, however, comes in the manner in which some claim to honor the month-long celebration. Americans' desire to make up for centuries of racial discrimination has lead to a gross overcompensation during Black History Month, resulting in a variety of demeaning and cheap ploys.
Black History Month originated in the early part of the twentieth century. Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the celebration in 1926 as Negro History Week. He saw the need for such a tribute after realizing a lack of material on blacks in his history books. Eventually, his conception became a monthly celebration taking place every February, chosen since its second week contains the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass
The mention of Black History Month typically invokes in most people a vision of rows of elementary school students attentively watching a video in a classroom with posters of George Washington Carver and Frederick Douglass pasted on the walls. One also can observe more ineffective and opportunistic tactics during many a February day. A barrage of public service announcements highlighting the lives of prominent blacks fill the television airwaves for weeks, "sponsored by your friendly local (insert franchise name) grocery." Online retailers boast special collections of books and movies. Unfortunately, after a while, these attempts at sincerity - combined with shameless self-promotion - fall on deaf ears.
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Of late, the University also has given into the tastelessness during Black History Month. Dining Services claims their celebration through a special center stage bar at Observatory Hill with themed meals such as "African flatbread" and "southern favorites." The gesture may be well-intentioned, but associating Black History Month with themed dinners akin to the Super Bowl or Halloween is both tacky and debasing. A unique recent addition also graces the University Bookstore general hygiene section. Separate from all other hair products, the store has placed a display consisting entirely of hair products meant for black women. A variety of boxes and cans sits on several shelves, containing products such as "African's Organics" hair mayonnaise, "African Pride" conditioner and "Dark and Lovely" hair color. The effort to appease some in the black community is almost laughable and such feeble attempts at recognizing Black History Month are uncalled for. Associating what should be a time to honor respected members of a group long overlooked in American history with irrelevant and insignificant products and activities is unpardonable and cheapens the original intent.
Few, however, may be willing to come forward in opposition to the tasteless opportunistic tactics employed during Black History Month at the risk of offending blacks. Much is left to be settled in race relations, and the subject still is a touchy one. In standing up against anything claiming to support Black History Month, someone may become afraid of being viewed as unsupportive of the idea or even racist. The opposite, however, is true. In defying the commonplace disregard for real respect, people would prove their sincere patronage and understanding of their fellow American citizens.
The purpose of Black History Month is to highlight prestigious blacks and their heritage. Often, however, marketing schemes and other efforts to honor the celebration ironically set the movement back even further. Themed dinners and ridiculously named and displayed products taint what should be a dignified month. If groups and individuals want to recognize the cause, their time would be better spent attending the already-existing forums on black history and race relations. Tacky and opportunistic attempts to pay homage during Black History Month must cease to exist in deference to both blacks and the reputation of the entire nation.
(Becky Krystal is a Cavalier Dailyassociate editor. She can be reached at bkrystal@cavalierdaily.com.)
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