Black History Month... American Dream or Nightmare?

February is, for those who don't know, Black History Month. It almost slipped between my fingers like the old sand cliche'. Like all observances people bring in different traditions and symbols. This holiday has changed too. I remember when it was mainly about rattling off historical firsts in Black History.

Then, there's the chant part. Who invented blah, blah, blah. Then a long silence. It was Joe Blow a BLACK MAN! Who was achieved blah, blah? Silence again. It was Mary Smith a BLACK WOMAN. The names would echo in my little brain and become stuck against in the legacy of achievements and heritage.

These game-show style approach of testing young minds might still occur in schools. Then, perhaps that importance of Black History has faded when the campaign for cultural diversity dissolved. By the way, I'm Black so this observance is more than an attempt to be socially connected with people of color.

Whether you know all the old facts of who did what and when or if you've memorized thebooks Obama family from cover to cover, the bottom line is that Black History is more about being a ladder for my people to climb with inspirational stories and ideas.

Use this month to begin to reconnect with your family history. Talk with your parents, grandparents and other relatives. Use email, texting, letters (they still will deliver them!) and phone calls to reach people. Then, when we hear what our members endured and read about historical events, we can connect the pieces. Then, those Black History moments will become a part of your everyday lives and personal heritage.

Still Black After all these Years --- Black History Month

Just a couple of months ago, people would greet you with "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," and then later "Happy New Year." Few, very few have reached the comfort level to say, "Happy Kwanzaa."

Since this is Black History Month, or for the uncomfortable folks --- African American History Month, I think I'll freak people out this month and say, "Happy Black History Month!" I'll exclaim it with the same joy as the other holidays.

Why don't my people say this? What would be wrong with saying this to each other? Well, I believe most would feel uncomfortable with the word Black. Then, no one, not just Black people, really knows history.

When was the last time you actually read a book about any part of history? If you tell someone some facts about history, you'll get that look. You know the look. It's the look of smart ass. People begin to feel intimidated.

This is because for the most part, few Americans are readers. We're watchers not readers. (By the way, speaking of readers, for the readers who purchased my book, Run into Blackness, thank you! I truly appreciate your interest and support. You're making this publication a success!) As watchers, we spend more time dipping into the lives of others. Hey, I love television but balance the tube with some heavy books.

So, if you don't know about Black History, you can remove the shame by buying a book about Black History and start reading. If you're afraid of getting paper cuts or perhaps breaking the spine of a book, then visit the History Channel's website.

Books are better though. You can pace yourself. History's already around us, regardless of our culture, ethnicity, etc. we all have contributed to this grand melting pot. You owe it to yourself to know more about Black History other than:

Obama is America's first Black president,
Dr. Martin Luther King was a Black civil rights leader,
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves,
and Black folk are now free!

If you don't know this shallow list, whether you're Black or non-Black, this is really sad and it's time to go back to school.

Here's what sad about me. I don't know the history of who won the last few Super Bowls. How dare I call myself a real American!