What does Black history month mean to you? Our childhoods (Geriatric millennials that is) were surrounded by the words and visuals from great people such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Maya Angelou. The Beatles got it. All you need is love.
The world is a surreal place right now. Russia has just invaded Ukraine and the media is breaking our hearts. Not long ago images from the Taliban did the same. All under the back drop a global pandemic that has had us grounded for nearly 2 years. Also during the weirdest, most divisive political time. We are all depressed. We are all sad. We are all mad. We are fighting over everything. But we cannot fight over Black history. Because it is our history.
At bedtime last night, my 4.5 year old asked me why we hate the KKK and want to kill them. Background: he’s referring to a video game. First, I told my child that we do not wish to hurt anyone. That is not who we are, but we do not like nor support the KKK or their actions. So, he proceeded to beg me to tell him the history. If you have met my child you know that he is incredibly well spoken and very in tune with the world. He picks up on the unspoken words. I however, had no words. I had never had to explain to a child that my ancestors enslaved another group of people for their own benefit and lack of humanity for the perceived ‘other.’ How do you say that to a child? And knowing that my child is growing up during a time when most people that look like us would rather sweep history under the rug and keep perpetuating bad behavior which harms ALL OF US.
I do get it. Fear is the motivating factor behind all bad behavior. It’s really hard to think that our ancestors did something so egregious. And that is not who WE are. It’s an attack on our identity at a core. Rather than be defensive, perhaps we could look at it that that is in fact not who we are. Take ourselves out of the equation. If you look at the situation without blame or guilt for actions, it is plain to see that our history is ugly. It is unnecessary. But it is what it is. Have some grace for yourself. You were not alive during that time. We cannot be to blame for the actions of our ancestors. But we do have responsibility for our actions and have an opportunity to move forward on the right foot if we accept it. Descendants of slaves not only deserve to be treated equally and equitably, but they deserve our gratitude. Many of you want to forget that these historic plantations amassed immense wealth which was invested in endeavors that have shaped our country today. Free land, free labor. Sounds great, but the cost was not great. It should be condemned. However, we allow the descendants of slave owners to continue to run our country today through their fortunes which they amassed on the backs of other human beings and invested. Don’t forget that Duke University came from tobacco money which was earned through slave labor. My school taught me that. I want my children to learn that. To remember that there was a time when the world thought it was acceptable to own not one but multiple if not 100s of other human beings. If that doesn’t make you say ‘what the absolute F was wrong with them?’ I don’t know what would shock you.
If you find it acceptable for the descendants of those people to continue using their superfluous resources to make decisions for all of us, including the descendants of those that they enslaved, then you must also find it acceptable for the descendants of slaves to be treated with the love and compassion and gratitude that they deserve. And how do we do that? How do we overcome the inequalities? I do not have all of the answers. I wish that I did. It is a complex history. But what I do know is that Black history has to stay. So that we can continue to have the opportunity to move forward with love, if not every day, at least for 28 days each year.
MumGene 