Daily Forty-Niner; February 22, 2021

weekly digital print edition

DAILY FORTY-NINER EST p 1949

Vol. LXXII, Issue 21

www.daily49er.com

Monday, February 22, 2021

‘Celebrate Blackness’

2 SPECIAL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM ON THE COVER Demonstrators march in Long Beach Saturday in honor and celebration of Black history, Black culture and Black individuals who have been killed as a result of police brutality.

Photo by LAUREN BERNY

Daily Forty-Niner 1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-203 Long Beach, CA, 90840

Editorial Office Phone (562) 985-8000

Business Office Phone (562) 985-1740

Madalyn Amato

Lauren Berny

Multimedia Managing Editor multimedia@daily49er.com

Editor in Chief eic@daily49er.com

News Editor Julia Terbeche news@daily49er.com Arts & Life Editor Paris Barraza arts@daily49er.com Opinions Editor Kelsey Brown opinions@daily49er.com Sports Editor Sports Desk sports@daily49er.com Design Editor Alejandro Vazquez design@daily49er.com Advertising Manager Carter Magee advertising@daily49er.com

Letter from the editor:

Journalists can do better We cannot move forward without taking accountability for the past.

Business Manager Sai Zin Phyo Lwin business@daily49er.com Special Projects Editor Peter Villafane Photo Editor Andrea Ramos Video Editor Abel Reyes Social Media Editor Celeste Huecias Podcast Editor Cameron Johnston Podcast Assistant Luke Pajari

By Peter Villafañe & Giselle Ormeño Special Projects Desk

Design Assistant Anna Karkalik News Assistant Iman Palm News Assistant Fernando Haro Arts and Life Assistant Xochilt Andrade

I

n creating this issue we understood that as non-Black people of color we don’t have the perspectives of Black people, but nonetheless we want to be able to uplift Black voices.

This is not a one-time issue with diverse stories and writers. It is a continued commitment to covering stories that reflect Long Beach State’s and the community’s diversity.

The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics says to take responsibility for the accuracy of their work and if we as journalists do not accurately report on the diversity in our community, then we should rectify this and begin to do so.

The Code of Ethics also asks us to “consider the longterm implications of the extended reach and permanence” of our work. As such, we acknowledge the Daily FortyNiner’s impact on the community. We know the value of these stories.

We have the power to inform, reflect and describe what happens on our campus. It is our duty to use our platform to elevate these stories and voices. That has not always been the case in the history of the paper. But as people of color, we have a responsibility to put diversity at the forefront of what we do.

The SPJ also states that journalists must always treat people as “human beings deserving of respect,” and this may not be reflected across newsrooms in America.

However, we are hoping to be part of that change.

The idea of journalistic objectivity is the assumption that white people can be objective in their coverage of diverse communities and that people of color can’t. We want to challenge that.

We know it takes a level of understanding and empathy to be able to accurately tell the stories of our own communities.

We are not part of the Black community, but in solidarity we want to celebrate Black excellence in this issue.

We are always looking for diverse stories, perspectives and contributors. If you would like to contribute to our special issues, email Peter at vforvillafane@gmail.com.

Special Projects Assistant Giselle Alexandra Ormeno Photo Assistant Richard Grant Social Media Assistants Ashley Ramos Desiree Aguilera Dominique Hernandez Briet Sarthak Sheladia Webmaster Dinesh Reddy Kommera PR & Promotions Manager Alejandro Vazquez Distribution Manager Carter Magee Design Adviser Gary Metzker Content Adviser Barbara Kinglsey-Wilson Advertising and Business Jennifer Newton Adviser Letters to Editor editor@daily49er.com

Story Ideas tips@daily49er.com

Corrections correction@daily49er.com

Job Inquiries jobs@daily49er.com

Letters Policy: All letters and emails must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Daily Forty-Niner reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.

Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinons of the Daily FortyNiner are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Daily Forty-Niner.

Follow us @daily49er

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM

SPECIAL 3

FRAN JACQUIER | Unsplash

The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated preexisting socio-economic struggles.

COVID-19 hits the Black community disproportionately According to the city’s health officer, statistics show that the coronavirus pandemic and other health-related issues have been negatively affecting Black individuals in Long Beach.

By Kelsey Brown Opinions Editor

T

hough the coronavirus pandemic has affected individuals worldwide, statistics show that in America, Black people have been disproportionately more affected compared to other communities.

According to an NPR analysis, Black people are becoming infected and dying at rates 1.5 times their global population. This statistic was reflected in Long Beach as of last April, as Black individuals made up 13% of the city’s population but 21% of the global population.

This disparity is being seen in communities across the nation as a result of several socioeconomic factors that had been in place before the coronavirus pandemic began early last year.

“Black people are more likely to be frontline, essential workers who aren’t able to work from home,” Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach City Health Officer, saids.

“We are also a larger proportion of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach.”

Due to historical redlining polices and racial residential segregation, Black people are more likely to live in crowded housing conditions or intergenerational homes, making it difficult to practice social distancing and ensure the safety of others in a household. Statistics also indicate that

Black individuals’ access to health care is also more likely to be inconsistent.

“Black people are disproportionately affected with underlying health conditions that put [them] at higher risk for serious illness or dying of COVID, such as diabetes, obesity and smoking,” Davis said in an email. “We are more likely to be uninsured and underinsured.”

Data has shown that Black people are affected by diabetes, hypertension and heart disease at a higher rate than white people, and compared with white children, Black kids die from asthma at a 500% higher rate.

Geography such as neighborhood divides can also contribute to this health disparity, as concluded by a 2017 Princeton University study.

Low income neighborhoods are more likely to be in food deserts, or areas where healthy food can be difficult to find. These neighborhoods are less likely to have major supermarkets, and instead have smaller establishments like liquor stores, bodegas and gas stations that are typically stocked with cheaper, unhealthy foods

rather than healthier, organic or fresh options.

Though this inequality can be seen nationwide, locally Long Beach has been able to find a middle ground between populations and hospitalizations. Currently, Black people make up 12% of the city’s population and 12% of coronavirus-related hospitalizations.

White people account for 28% of the city’s population, yet make up 18% of hospitalizations.

“These disparities are long-standing and multifaceted and are rooted in our country’s legacy and current systemic racism,” Davis wrote. “These disparities need to be addressed at multiple levels.”

Addressing systemic racism in the community will not be fixed by one institution alone, Davis said, as she urged the continuation of the collaborative efforts of “numerous stakeholders, including the health department, elected officials, faith-based leaders and other activists.” She feels these groups should continue with outreach and educate the Black community on best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Many of these entities are working to not only fight racism, but to improve housing, education, health and wealth, as well as limit tobacco use in the Black community, Davis said.

Even with vaccinations, there is discrepancy between communities. According to demographics from 23 states, white residents are being vaccinated at rates double or higher than those of Black residents.

Data has shown that this is a result of not only structural racism barriers, but also mistrust of the medical field. In a survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, only 29% of Black people said they would “definitely” or “probably” get vaccinated.

This mistrust isn’t unwarranted, however. Historically, Black individuals who are underserved have been exploited for medical experimentation. For instance, a 40-year study was conducted by the United States Public Health Service and the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, tracking the progression of untreated syphilis in Black men. The study continued

“Black people are more likely to be frontline, essential workers who aren’t able to work from home.”

- Dr. Anissa Davis Long Beach City Health officer

even after treatments for the disease were discovered.

Black women die at rates 2.5 times that of white women during childbirth, a result of susceptibility to health conditions and institutional racism.

“It’s important that we all meet each other where they are and address the community’s priorities, not put your own ideas on the community,” Davis said, referring to a lack of trust of the medical field. “[We have to] be there for the long haul, and stand up and speak up for the community.”

Disparities across the medical field, including COVID-19 statistics, mothers’ mortality rates, access to health care and likelihood of disease, indicate that the health industry is another institution in which Black people are dying at alarming rates, Davis said. Increasing access to food and educational opportunities will assist in combatting this issue, she said, as well as implementing housing policies.

Davis maintained that, although it will take time to reach a more equitable health care industry, it is important to be knowledgeable of ways to stay safe for oneself and to help each other in the community.

“We have to hang in there.

Our cases and hospitalizations are decreasing, but they’re still really high,” Davis said. “Vaccines are very helpful in the fight, but you’re still going to need to wear masks, avoid crowds and gather outside of your household, physically distance [yourself] and wash your hands.”

4 SPECIAL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM

Trayvon Martin’s legacy, nine years later The teen continues to serve as the inspiration behind a larger movement representing the importance and value of Black lives in our society.

By Fernando Haro Assistant News Editor

N

i ne years after his death, people across the nation on social media are remembering Trayvon Martin while looking back on the legacy that inspired the Black Lives Matter movement.

While visiting his father’s house in Sanford, Florida, Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, the captain of the neighborhood community watch, on Feb. 26, 2012. He was 17 years old.

Zimmerman, who was sitting in his car, saw Martin walking down the street in a gray hoodie and deemed him suspicious, calling 911. The 911 operator then instructed Zimmerman to stop pursuing the teenager as they would be sending a police officer over to check out the situation.

But Zimmerman continued to follow Martin and, after a brief altercation, he shot Martin, claiming self-defense.

Over a year later on July 13, 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges, including murder in the second degree, sparking outrage and protests across the country.

More than 100 people gathered the following day in Long Beach’s Bixby Park for a peaceful demonstration, hosted by Long Beach State’s African Student Union, in support of Martin, with many participants believing the jury made a mistake.

“The jury got it wrong — [Zimmerman] killed a teenager for no reason,” Paul Hernandez, a CSULB student, said in 2013 following the verdict. “He should be in jail.”

Trayvon Martin’s memory has been kept alive through the Black Lives Matter movement.

People also took to social media, using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, to voice their disapproval over the verdict, creating the path for what is now a global organization in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada “whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”

In recent years, BLM has

been at the forefront of several protests, calling for equity and police reform after the murders of more Black individuals, including Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others.

Founded by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza, BLM have created a space where these women have become vocal leaders for projects supporting Black leadership, art and culture.

“So much of our history has

been being unsafe in this country,” Cullors said during the latest BLM “We Keep Us Safe” Community Call on Jan. 19, 2021. “We cannot rely on police, we can’t rely on CIA and the FBI to keep us safe, and so we’ve created networks in our community to keep us safe.”

In an opinion piece for NBC News, Cullors said the killing of Martin in 2012 was the “catalyst” for Black millennials to fight back against oppressive forces.

It inspired the development

of dozens of organizations in support of Black lives who were ready to take action by the time of Zimmerman’s acquittal in 2013, she said.

She wrote that “these Blackled institutions developed a generation of leaders, who, though they didn’t know it, would soon take on the institution of law enforcement and become the key strategists for local, state, and national politics.”

6

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

6 SPECIAL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.C

‘Da

Counterclockwise from above: Sugi Dakks, a local musician, performs his song and a poem during Saturday’s Black History Month celebration. Chynna Bryson and her nephew, Liam, dance during an intermission between speakers at the Black History Month celebration.

Three of the organizers perpare attendees for the march at the Black History Month celebration. On Saturday, Doowop Ashi, a community member, joins the Black History Month march at Marina Vista Park.

Photos by RICHARD GRANT | Daily Forty-Niner

SPECIAL 7

COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM

ance for justice’ Dozens gather at Marina Vista Park in Long Beach to celebrate Black History Month and march for justice.

By Julia Terbeche News Editor

A

LAUREN BERNY | Daily Forty-Niner

bout 75 demonstrators gathered Saturday afternoon at Marina Vista Park in Long Beach for a vibrant, mask-enforced rally and celebration in honor of Black History Month.

Organized by a coalition of Black liberation leaders, the event featured performers, speakers and community activists from Long Beach and Orange County, as well as local vendors.

Some attendees tossed a football around the park while others danced to music blaring from two large speakers, sage burning in the wind.

Anthony Bryson, an organizer, said that Black History Month is not only about celebration but also the “education of the contribution made by African Americans to our society.”

“What we should aim for is that the inclusiveness of history really encompasses all contributions made by all minorities who have been left out of history,” Bryson said. “We’ve gone from the slave house to the White House.”

Bryson, who calls himself one of the “the Black leaders within the liberation movement that are separated from BLM, the at-large organization,” led the group in affirmations to celebrate their heritage.

Another organizer, Justice Crudup, maintained that the goal of Saturday’s rally was to “educate, celebrate, motivate and demonstrate” the importance of “Black life, Black joy, Blackness, Black culture and Black love.”

“We’re not here to knock things down, burn things down or to instigate, we’re here to demonstrate,” Bryson said. “We’re here to make a mark on history.”

A few signs were dispersed throughout the park, some of which included coronavirus regulations and others read messages like “Prosecute killer cops” and “No justice, no peace.”

Several musical guests performed for the socially distant crowd, including Sugi Dakks, a local musician, and Mollie Bell, an activist who recited three poems and part of “I Hope You Dance” by Gladys Knight.

“Dance for justice, dance for Black lives, dance for everything we’ve been through,” Bell said.

Bell, who turned 74 this month, said she has been an activist for decades and participated in the event “because the Constitution says we have the right to assemble and peacefully protest.”

Several speakers including Thetis Meriwhether, a member of a local activist group called “My Ancestors’ Dream,” encouraged the group to engage in civic participation and community action.

“Get a seat at the table,” Meriwhether said.

“My Ancestors’ Dream” provides food, shelter and other resources to communities in need, Meriwhether said. A member of the coalition, Justin Frazier said he attended the event to promote positivity and offer mutual aid.

Frazier, a fashion designer, said he sells clothes under his brand “Rebels at Play” to raise money for the organization.

Volunteers offered snacks, water bottles and homemade, individually packaged meals to all participants. Two activists set up a mobile espresso bar, called Cafablanca, in the parking lot, making coffee for donations.

Nizan Shaked, a professor of art history at Long Beach State, attended the rally in support of “a bunch of groups,” she said.

The group took to the streets around 5 p.m. to march along East Eliot Street, calling for justice for all Black lives and for the protection of Black women.

“We can continue to motivate, to inspire, to let you guys see and understand that, yes, black joy is a form of protest,” Crudup said. “We also know how to march our boots and put on our good shoes and still have some gratitude and good energy about how we show America what a peaceful and civil protest looks like.”

8 SPECIAL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.C

Black-owned busine

A guide to some of the bes

T

BY BELLA ARNOLD A

he city of Long Beach is home to many small business owners, but with the hardship that the coronavirus pandemic brought to these businesses, it is important to support the community by shopping local.

But by shopping local, residents also have the opportunity to make a conscious decision to support Black-owned businesses in Long Beach.

The Daily Forty-Niner presents a map of currently open Black-owned businesses in Long Beach operating from a storefront or residence, from restaurants to retail to barbershops.

If you know a Black-owned business that is not on this map, please email arts@daily49er.com with the name of the business.

WONDERFUL HANDS HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER 911 E. San Antonio Dr., Long Beach Johneen Hardwick is a California certified massage therapist and the owner of Wonderful Hands Holistic Wellness Center. The CSULB alumni uses her magic hands to rehabilitate, soothe and provide a getaway for her clients. The Long Beach location offers a range of soothing services as well as homeopathic and herbal remedies.

DERRICK’S ON ATLANTIC 3502 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach Derrick’s on Atlantic is owned by six Bixby Knolls residents, including Velika Turner. Derrick’s offers the finest in authentic Central Texas cuisine.

Though they have limited services during COVID-19, they’re still offering contactless delivery and online pickup. If you’re looking for a bite of southern heaven, Derrick’s is the place for you.

HEAVENLY BOUTIQUE 482 W. Willow St., Long Beach Heavenly Boutique celebrates funky femininity. They offer unique styles fit for all occasions. Rosalind, the owner of Heavenly Boutique, is no stranger to the latest trends and was even voted “Best Dressed” in high school. On average, most items sell in the $40 range, but Rosalind is dedicated to providing an invaluable customer experience.

IN THE CUT BARBERSHOP 853 Atlantic Ave. #101, Long Beach In The Cut Barbershop, according to their website, is an old-fashioned style barbershop and is home to three barbers, including master barber Levi Williams. According to the website, Williams wants to create an environment comfortable for everyone at In The Cut Barbershop.

VILLAGE TREASURES 247 E. Broadway, Long Beach Village Treasures has been part of the Long Beach community since 1997, owned and operated by Max Viltz. The store sells authentic African artifacts and textiles, all collected by Viltz.

COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM

SPECIAL 9

esses in Long Beach

st Long Beach has to offer.

AND PARIS BARAZZA

J. LOONEY’S NEW ORLEANS CULTURE FOOD RESTAURANT 5204 Orange Ave., Long Beach J. Looney’s is a family-owned restaurant serving New Orleans style cuisine.

Currently, the restaurant closes on Mondays, so be sure to check out their FaceBook or Twitter pages for updated information.

COLOR CULTURE HAIR ARTISTRY 4501 E. Carson St., Long Beach Color Culture Hair Artistry is a hair salon in Long Beach that specializes in colorful hair dyes and highlights for all types of hair, including curls, as well as color correction.

GEORGIA’S RESTAURANT 4101 McGowen St.,Long Beach Georgia’s Restaurant offers soul food that is sure to fix even the sourest moods. The Long Beach location is currently open for pickup and delivery.

BOUGIE GURLZ CLOTHING BOUTIQUE 2294 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach Reid Rich is the CEO of Bougie Gurlz, an upscale, trendy boutique. Bougie Gurlz offers a range of dresses, power suits and trendy ensembles to help you feel like your best self. The Long Beach boutique gives you the designer look without the designer price tag. You can find these styles online or at their Long Beach location.

BETTER BODIES FITNESS CENTER 903 E. Wardlow Rd., Long Beach Chuckie Miller is no stranger to the importance of fitness. The former NFL player works with clients to create custom workout routines for their skillsets with his expertise at Better Bodies Fitness Center, based in Long Beach.

FIRM HANDS 3300 E. Broadway, Long Beach Jonathan Ware, owner of Firm Hands, comes highly requested by plenty of satisfied customers featured on their website. Issues like headaches and decreased energy can be quickly remedied by a 30-minute massage session with Ware. Customers leave not only feeling refreshed and soothed, but enriched by knowledge Ware passed onto them about how to care for their bodies.

For a complete list of businesses, visit daily49er.com

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

SPECIAL 11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM OPINION

By Kelsey Brown Opinions Editor

M

inorities have been excluded in America since its founding.

When the framers set out during the 18th century to construct the Constitution, they opened with the famous line “We the people”—a phrase sounding inclusive, but really only extending to wealthy and educated white men of the time.

Though history is often seen as building blocks for our future, and historians warn that if we don’t know our history we are bound to repeat it, it can be argued that many of us don’t know a well-rounded narrative of history at all.

The history that we’re repeatedly taught from elementary school through high school is from the lens of white historians, retelling the same whitewashed narratives time and time again.

Whitewashing history is so deeply engrained into our lives, we often don’t bat an eye to it. Like how Jesus is portrayed as white in all Western religions, despite being born in the Middle East. Or how in Western films, the Indians are portrayed as the bad guys and the white cowboys the heroes, despite invading their homeland and committing mass genocide.

As a society, we seem to accept this one-note tune in history, though recent reflections on history have expanded. White history dominates school curriculums, while Black history is chained to the shortest month of the year.

Black History Month is a strange phenomena. Black history is recognized for one month of the year, as if Black people aren’t a part of all history.

There is no reason why Black history should be categorized and boxed away only to be dusted off and reflected on once in a blue moon.

It was Black people who built this country on their backs, who set the blueprint for protesting civil rights, who revolutionized this country towards being inclusive.

Black people are responsible for many inventions that are imbedded into our daily lives. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was the mother of rock ‘n’ roll, though her name is one scarcely heard, especially in comparison with Elvis Presley, who was inspired by her music.

Black inventors’ creations are as common as the three-light traffic light, created by Garrett Morgan and automatic elevator doors, which Alexander Miles created.

I never learned about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, who served seven terms representing New York’s 12th congressional district.

Or Madame C. J. Walker, America’s first self-made female billionaire, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Though Black people are referred to in the current white-dominated curriculum in history, it is again a single note. Black people learn they were slaves, oppressed by Jim Crow laws in the south and paved their own way for rights. We talk about Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa

Black history is history A reflection on whitewashing in history and the true history of Black Americans.

KELSEY BROWN | Daily Forty-Niner

Parks and Harriet Tubman.

We learn the watered-down, muzzled versions of history. Like the myth that Martin Luther King Jr., who was considered radical for his time, led only peaceful movements that were received well by the public.

Police attacked Black men, women and children for fighting for their rights with high-pressure water hoses and and by setting dogs on them. The FBI’s fixation and close monitoring of King led his family to believe that the FBI played a vital role in King’s assassination.

Yet in class, all we hear about is sit-ins at lunch counters and peaceful marches through streets, and on King’s birthday the FBI’s Twitter account commends King’s accomplishments as if they didn’t spend his entire career discrediting him and attempting to take away his platform.

The only history Black people are taught are about suffering and overcoming. Simplifying Black history to that extent is incredibly limiting.

It teaches Black people that they’ve always been less than, always been fighting for their rights, always under the thumb of the white man, when that couldn’t be farther from truth.

Enslaved Africans came from greatness. Egypt, one of Africa’s earliest and greatest civilizations, thrived for thousands of years. The Kingdom of Ghana, in West Africa, was rich with copper, gold and salt, which played a major role in trade. Prosperous kingdoms spread throughout the continent, wealthy with culture, life, art, music and resources. But because of all the rivalry kingdoms, there was war among African tribes.

Enslavement of Africans was implemented before Europeans even arrived, but that was different in that slaves were captured during wars.

Often as a temporary punishment for crimes, there was the ability to work for freedom and children of enslaved people weren’t automatically deemed slaves.

Historically, white people created the narrative that Black people were uncivilized and inhumane to justify the atrocities they were committing on a mass scale. The watering down of American abominations is a reflection of white guilt.

Yet in countries like Germany, whose history is scarred with the Holocaust, white people take full responsibility for their ugly history.

Students learn about the Holocaust around age 12 in full so they’re at an age to fully grasp it, visit memorials and teachers emphasize that survivors are “not just victims.”

To diminish Black history to the shortest month of the year when it is engrained in every part of life is just further oppressing Black people.

Teaching us our generational trauma while omitting our historical accomplishments is an attempt to brainwash Black people to be complicit to the lesser-than role America has forever tried to limit Black people to. It’s an attempt to get Black people to accept oppression, to define their identities with these struggles. But we are so much more.

If Black history is truly valuable to this country, if Black lives truly matter, if oppression is over and equality reigns, then we shouldn’t have a separate month to reflect on Black history.

Black history, Black historical figures, Black accomplishments should be taught, reflected on and celebrated, alongside the teachings of European history.

A well-rounded picture should be painted of history, one with consideration of minorities experiences, not blinded by those white people in power in the past who dictated how

12 SPECIAL

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM

SUAD KAMARDEEN | Unsplash OPINION

Is one month of Black history enough?

Growing up, I thought it was a cool idea that Black people got a month dedicated to us. However, as I grew older I realized the month of February had almost nothing to do with celebrating Black history.

By Iman Palm Assistant News Editor

B

lack History Month is supposed to be the time of the year when we celebrate Black people by acknowledging the many contributions we have made to society, acknowledging some of the struggles we have overcome in this country and learning more about our history. However, this is often overshadowed by other events, such as Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl.

Instead of celebrating Black History Month during February, the shortest month of the year, it would be better to celebrate Black history throughout the year, by incorporating Black history into elementary, middle and high schools’ curriculums.

During my primary education, I didn’t learn much

about Black history beyond slavery, Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks. While it’s important to know about these topics, Black history is more than just three events, and it’s sad that history classes at all primary levels only focus on that part of our history.

I question why history books only focus on Black history when the topic is related to oppression. Focusing on just that aspect is damaging and one-sided for the audience. We are more than just former slaves. Black Americans have contributed so much to this society that without us, society would not be as advanced as it is today.

We have been trailblazers in architect, music, science and so much more.

There is so much more to our history and focusing on two people and one major event gives the audience a warped view of what all Black history entails. For example, Rosa Parks wasn’t the first

Black woman to refuse her seat on the bus; it was Claudette Colvin, but the history books given to us in school makes us believe something different.

Black history isn’t some alternative version of historical events, it’s history.

Even though a majority of the states don’t require public schools to teach Black history.

I should have been able to learn more about my people just as much as I learned about a white Americans during my primary education.

I didn’t learn about Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm or the true meaning of Juneteenth until college. I didn’t have the ability to utilize resources, such as doing indepth research about Black history, until I was an adult because America refuses to acknowledge Black history exists. They rather us know a white-washed version of our history than the truth.

For example, pictures depicting the Civil Rights Move-

ment are often shown in black and white to give the illusion that this event happened a long time ago. In reality, the Civil Rights Movement began in 1954 and ended in 1968, meaning it’s only been 53 years since the era ended. A majority of our grandparents and maybe some of our parents liwwved through those moments in history.

Also, Martin Luther King Jr. is painted to be this nonviolent civil rights leader, but most people viewed him to be a radical. Primary education history lessons would lead you to believe that this era was filled with peaceful sit down protests and while that’s partially true, the era consisted of more than just peaceful demonstrations.

To be frank, I’m tired of having to find alternative sources to learn more about my history. I follow an Instagram account that focuses on true Black History to compensate for the history lessons I was supposed to learn during

my primary education. Learning about Black history during one’s primary education years should be as normal as us learning about white American history.

Why is it that black students have to fight for this?

It’s a nice gesture that we have this month that’s supposedly dedicated to Black people, but it doesn’t really mean anything. Black History Month is often brushed aside and isn’t celebrated like it should be. I remember in school we didn’t do much to commemorate this month, besides watching a short documentary about Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks.

This month is just an empty gesture from the government when they could be using this time to actually do something proactive to help the Black community. If this month isn’t going to be used effectively to celebrate Black people and learn about our history, then the U.S government can keep it.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

PAID ADVERTISEMENT