An Inclusive Way to Honor Black History Month

"it is especially important that we all recognize our humanity by putting ourselves in the place of others"

Dear friends,

One of the problems with Black History Month is: It makes many people feel excluded.

Back in the early 90s, in Amherst, Mass., I introduced into my oldest daughter's elementary school, Fort River, a way for all children to celebrate and honor Black History Month. As far as I know, it's still practiced there enthusiastically to this day, 23 years later.

At any rate, the main feature was/is have each child of every social/cultiral group, bring in a photo w/caption of a member of his or her family (or a friend of that family) who has contributed in some way to making the world a better place. The photo w/caption is placed on a special board on the school's hallway walls, for everyone to see for the entire month of February. Consequently, every February, all kids get to show their pride in someone who has fought for equality, dignity, and justice which is what the history of Africans in the Americas, as a group, has been for centuries - NOT just individual achievements.

Finally, while it is important that all people realize that all groups have contributed to the development and proliferation of Our nation, it is especially important that we all recognize Our humanity by putting Ourselves in the place of others. That is about what Black History Month is really. Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus