“Twitter Haters, When Do I Get My Apology for Agreeing with Morgan Freeman about #BlackHistoryMonth?”
Stacey Dash was clapping back at her haters in a blog post called “Twitter Haters, When Do I Get My Apology for Agreeing with Morgan Freeman about #BlackHistoryMonth?” in which she claims that Freeman shares her views on Black History Month.
Stacey said:
“When I spoke out on Fox News and on my blog about the need to get rid of BET and Black History Month, all the same usual Twitter haters came out of the woodwork to troll me and say all sorts of disgusting things about me,Well, if you’re going to call me ignorant, stupid, and an Uncle Tom, you need to be intellectually honest and also call out Morgan Freeman.”
No..No.. NO! You do not get an apology Ms. Dash.
That is not why you were being called out. I don’t support trollish behavior. I don’t support people insulting others out of pocket either, BUT, I do call into question anyone’s motive that Black History should be eliminated.
Seriously? Let me help you out with 4 reasons why Black History Month is still needed.
#1 Have you talked to an African American youngster lately? They need to hear positive information about African Americans. For many of young people, Black History month is the only time they get to see people of color celebrated for things other than the arts. There is a generation that missed out on these stories because we were so busy being politically correct and blending in. I would bet there are people that you only learned about via Black History Month.
#2 In case you haven’t looked around lately, our contributions to the country I love still go ignored. As a native New Yorker I am proud of the woman, who long before Rosa Parks stood up against the system, fought the system for a seat. Are you familiar with Elizabeth Jennings Graham? Do you know about the wonderful contributions of a man named Pierre Toussaint? I learned of them via Black History month. If we do not share their stories they will be lost in time.
#3 Every other culture and lifestyle gets to celebrate their culture. For years we were not able to celebrate who we were and what we do. Our traditions are slowly evaporating and our culture is disappearing. This is a larger issue, than just AA’s, but, in particular the AA culture is disappearing. Doubt me? Do you recall an act ‘Nuthin’ But Strings?’ Ahhh… I bet you said no. In a time before this washed out period of talent, we are living in these young men would have been seen everywhere. We will lose the ability to celebrate the culture which has taught us to be proud.
Which leads me to my final one.
#4 We lose Black History month, we will lose the opportunity triumph things, people, events and places that give us a sense of pride. BET, TV One, Aspire, Bounce are much more than just entertainment meccas. They are brands that proclaim we are here. In case you missed it, we are having a struggle getting to the table to show we are here. A Black man in the White House does not mean the struggle is over. It means the struggle continues. The hunger to be recognized is there. The ratings for shows like Scandal, Empire, Love & Hip Franchise and Housewives Franchise prove we hunger to see ourselves.
After all, this is what the loud cry the last few weeks over the Oscar nominations has been about. It has been about bringing the experience to the table. It is an experience that makes us celebrate our triumphs and achievements. It is an opportunity to get us to talk about things in an authentic way.
Black History month stays. You are wrong Ms. Dash.
The struggle is not over. In fact, it has only begun.