The History of Blacks
February is designated as the NegroAfricanAmericanBlacks’ heritage and historical month and recognizes our contributions to this country nationally and globally. Many of us know of a Millennial who’s made a significant contribution to the information age, yet without recognition. Some of us have heard of a Baby Boomer that was instrumental to the industrial age without recognition. And a few of us know may know of a Post-War baby who made a revolutionary discovery during their generation and never receiving an acknowledgement for their contribution. Finally, and undoubtedly, many Slave-Era individuals who made major contributions in their agrarian generation went unrecognized. All of these generational pioneers never received their kudos, but that fact doesn’t make their contributions any less significant or important to the society we are part of today. Our contributions to the history of this county is a tapestry of every color, thread, fabric and pattern imaginable in every walk of society. No one can deny this except people who choose to do so.
Every thirty to forty years represents a new wave of babies who grow up to drive societal norms’ ebb and flow. AND when the ebb goes out, so too goes some of the old ways of doing things. When the flow comes in it brings more savvy, sophistication, and responsibility to the shores of our lives. We’ve obtained more knowledge BUT with that knowledge we are mandated to maintain our identity, culture, and purpose as a people and to pass that on to the next generation. To continue a legacy there must be stories told, ideas shared and teaching delivered. The prior generation of NegroAfricanAmericanBlacks must stream the progress on to the upcoming generation. How – when – what – where -- who is just as important today as it was when we were coming out of slavery. These questions, when answered, carry us into our future. Our young ones need to know your story, your perseverance, your obstacles and your successes! It stirs hope and confidence in them when they hear how you got over!
The ethos of The History of Blacks month should not be limited to recognizing our past achievements but promoting the next generation’s contribution to our people and to society as a whole. Each NegroAfricanAmericanBlacks generation must take up the gauntlet and be responsible to influence the future. Since slavery, each generation has been labeled: Post War, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z and with each generation new threads are woven into the tapestry. The thought is: What did each leave, impart, or produce; what colors of beauty were added? Hmmm….
What will be your contribution to the people in your sphere of influence? What will they remember about you after you’re on the other side? What will your generation of NegroAfricanAmericanBlacks be known for, labeled as, or commended for?
I recall the 1990s where we celebrated The History of Blacks month wearing kente cloth outfits, dashikis and coming out in African-themed regalia. For the entire month there were events in public parks, churches and organizations heralding our uniqueness in the scheme of these United States. We seemed to have let the idea of a month set aside to remember the struggles as well as the successes die down to a lull. If you do only one thing this month to remember the legacy and progress as a culture then you’ve saluted your ancestry. I hope you find one thing to do this month to recite how great your people are in contributing to this society. Yeah yeah, I hear the “we’re black all year” theme but setting aside a month does not take away from celebrating your heritage all year. It’s just a crescendo – a set aside time to hear the music, dance the dance and sing the song of your culture, to be proud and acknowledge your people’s achievements.
The History of Blacks is an ongoing never-ending stream flowing from each NegroAfricanAmericanBlack who recognizes that their greatest successes, rewards, contributions, and celebrations are accomplished by loving who you are. We are created in the image and likeness of God. He has given us as a people an undeniable tenacity for surviving and thriving in this country, despite how we got here then or who acknowledges our contributions now. The only recognition of any value is what matters to God. Man’s sixty seconds of fame pales in comparison to the impartation into a life that impacts it so greatly there’s a change, a turnaround. To inspire, encourage and redirect any one toward their destiny is something that money cannot buy. Who have you applauded lately? Be the one that leaves a legacy for the next generation of NegroAfricanAmericanBlacks. To me, that’s what the History of Blacks month is all about.
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