Black History Now, Black History Forever
By: Kyler Stubblefield
Black history has the same effects in the past as well as in the present. It should be recognized not only for the past but for what is still happening today. The black community as a whole has dealt with many obstacles, and is still striving for a change.
Many are aware that black history is what really shaped the world. History of those whose risked their lives to pave the way for unity is something that is idolized still today. But truth be told black history shouldn’t be history, it should be something recognized daily. The black community for years celebrates their history on the month of February (the shortest month of the year). It is disheartening how this race has been through so much and is given so little. It is even more baffling that that one race would feel so superior over the other when under the eyes of God we are all the same.
Fear has the control to put someone in a place where they feel they have no power. Fear is something that the white man knew would keep the blacks in order/place. “Fear of the young males life she will psychologically train him to be mentally weak and dependent, but physically strong. Because she has become psychologically independent, she will train her female off springs to be psychological independent. What have you got? You've got the nigger women out front and the nigger man behind and scared” (The Willy Lynch Letter). Reversing the order of power gives a leverage to the “supreme race”. When you put fear into ones heart you have complete control over them and their offspring. Willy Lynch knew how to get power as well as retain it. Blacks were treated less than what they were. They, at one point in time, we’re not even considered human beings. Blacks were of the same class as animals and were treated as such. They could not look a white person directly in their eyes, walk on the same sidewalk as whites, eat or dine in the same business of whites, drink out of the water fountains for whites, use the same restrooms as whites, and even at one point go to the same schools with whites. For years the black community has practiced fear. If they knew their strength as a whole, slavery would have never been around.
The civil rights movement was the greatest publication of freedom and justice. Many individuals took an important role that not only illustrated regaining of power but was sufficient to unity as one. Unity showed the white man that the blacks were no longer quiet and unspoken, they wanted their voices back. What was the need of separation? What was the need of discrimination? What makes one better than the other? Quite frankly there was no valid reasoning for separating, no need for discrimination, and no real reason for one to think they were superior than the other. When one knows their is no consequence for the actions they are committing they continue on with what they’re doing.
Black history is not stuck in the past, the same injustice and discrimination is still allowed today. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) took lives away from millions of black men, woman, and children in the most gruesome ways. You can still see the same in some of our law enforcement today. Beating, taunting, and shooting African Americans down like wild animals is something you’ll see daily. Has anything really changed? The reason why a true unity cannot be achieved is because hatred is taught. Children are like sponges when they are young. Everything shown shapes them into what they will be as adults. It is clear that until these children develop a mind of their own, things will never get better. Today, many black mothers are more worried about their children and husbands making it safely home. Getting stopped by the police is more frightening now than what it was then. Today, just walking home with a black jacket and a bag of skittles can get you killed.
Your race is not the only thing that defines you, but your history is what shapes you. Being proud of what you came from can guide you through life’s challenges. Black history is something that should be recognized daily. Knowledge is something someone can not take from you. If everyone could educate themselves on truth behind black history, maybe it would humble more hearts. Black history now, black history forever!
Links to enhance your knowledge on black history:
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