Shanade Johnson: Black history month

As we approach Black history month OBV's new intern Shanade Johnson has written a controversial piece about it, condemning the anunal project as 'segregating rather than integration'. I myself disagree, but we do encourage debate with staff, interns and you, our readership. Is Shanade right, or is Black history month needed more than ever? What's your view?

Is a Black person only Black for one month out of the year? Does their history only matter for one month out of the year?

If the answer to both these questions is NO then why is it that so many people get excited to celebrate Black history month?

Black history month is an insult! As a proud Black woman I carry my pride around with me everywhere I go. I look up to women like Harriet Tubman for her strength, courage and endurance during her life as a slave; women like the first female millionaire in America Madam CJ Walker whose business acumen and entrepreneurialism gained many people’s respect and women like Rosa Parks who stood up for her rights as not only a Black woman but as a human being. And then there are the strong Black men like Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King and more recently Barack Obama, America’s first Black president. These Black people are figures in Black History whose achievements and bravery deserve to be celebrated throughout the year, not only by Black people but by everyone.

To me Black history month is not only an insult but it also promotes segregation rather than integration. How many other races of people celebrate a month dedicated to their back story? I have never heard of White history month, or Chinese history month, so why have a Black history month?!

I would say that the history taught on the National curriculum needs to represent the students they are teaching, incorporating the history of all members of the BME community. BME community makes up about 10% of the overall population in the UK, so the national curriculum should reflect them in what it teaches the youth in their history lessons. Doing this promotes integration and respect for one another’s culture. Furthermore, once a person has the knowledge of history, they can then make the decision of whether or not they wish to learn more, as I did. Black history month has never been considered important within my family however I know of Black History and positive Black figures as I decided to learn more about them myself.

So for me the relegation of Black History to just one month is far from flattering, parents and schools need to promote different types of history both within the school and at home. Events need to be all year round! This is why for me there should be no Black history month.

Shanade Johnson