Hi Meltingpot Readers,
Monday’s post was meant to get all of my non-Black readers into celebrating Black history month. Now, I want to stretch your minds even more and ask if Black History month should extend beyond our borders here in the United States? Can the Black American experience include Latin Americans? Is the Black experience only an American one? Check out these links to see how other people are answering that question.
From AOL Latino Voices: “February is called Black History month and, as Latinos, we need to understand our part in this celebration outside of the learning component. Black History is not simply about African-Americans, but African descendants.”
From The Daily Kos: “We have come a long way since 1926, in addressing the whitewashing of history, but perhaps we should address some of the almost artificial borders and boundaries we have set on that history, and examine peoples and histories who are not usually part of the package.”
Did you know that Black History Month is also celebrated in the UK, except it’s in October instead of February? And did you know that the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool always goes big for the Black History festivities? Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the first Black History Month across the pond. Check out the museum’s website to see how they celebrated.
Dear readers, what’s your take on Black History without borders? I’d love to hear your opinions. Okay, don’t everybody shout at once.
Peace!
Comments
2 responses to “Wednesday Round-Up: Black History Beyond Borders Edition”
Africans that were removed from Africa as part of the slave trade didn’t just end up in the United States. Many of my students (regardless of skin color) are quite shocked when I start talking about Afro-Latinos.
Wendy,
Well keep talking!!!!