It’s a little early for Black History Month, but I thought I’d share. I don’t really like actor Morgan Freeman, but I wouldn’t mind having a cup of coffee with him as long as he’s saying things like this:
“I don’t want a black history month. Black history is American history…”
The notion of a special month for black history may be hurting rather than helping efforts for racial equality, Freeman believes. When Wallace wonders whether racist attitudes may be harder to eradicate without the education that Black History Month provides, Freeman retorts: “How are we going to get rid of racism? Stop talking about it!†(SOURCE)
Yeah, right. I wish it were so, Mr. Freeman. But the “civil rights” hustle industry isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Its race-baiters workers aren’t about to give it up and get real jobs. They’ll make sure we all keep talking about it. An honest day’s work (for a change) would do their souls good, but hey, race baiters have to pay the bills, too, don’t they?
Also see What Black History Month means to me.
Note: I forgot to link to the source earlier.
Addendum: I take it back! I liked Freeman in Glory and on The Electric Company kids’ show.
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Amen Miss Barber! I find it quite insulting to reduce the many contributions of Blacks in this country to one month. It really is quite rediculous.
Prior to the late 1960’s there were plenty of textbooks that treated slavery as a type of paternal kindness that benefited the few savages who had been rescued from darkest Africa.
Thankfully, John Hope Franklin’s landmark history, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans, forced an awaking in the American history curriculum throughout the United States.
At first, there was a Negro History Week in February. It eventually morphed into Black History Month. But it was always, in my mind, a misplaced idea.
Henry Ford is famous for saying that “history is bunk.” In our rush to be multicultural and inclusive, a whole lot of “bunk” has been stuck into the school curricula to the point that the continuity and meaning have been clouded and sometimes even lost.
Black history, accurately told, is fascinating and extremely important to all Americans: it is a requirement to fully understanding the core concepts of the Constitution. But as “hyphenated” history (i.e. Black-American) it is divisive and stalls the progress of reconciliation and forward movement.
Black History Month is a dinosaur at best and a needless, societal encumbrance in the path toward true unity.
Furthermore, as the “Hispanic” population continues to occlude the Black population, it would be a true shame if we were to get bogged down in making certain that every “minority” get its measured amount of attention.
To my mind, that is totally unAmerican.
We now have “Women’s History” month in March. More fractionation of history. Which leads to courses like “Foundations of Cultural Geography” which is the required Social Studies class for 9th Graders at my local public high school. A noble concept, poorly executed, that reinforces the idea that all cultures and cultural values are equal (except some are more equal than others).
La Shawn: I had intended to ‘wow’ you with all this academic, intellectual stuff about minorities and individual achievement. Instead I think I’ll just compliment you on YOUR article.
….just found your blog. I like it.
La Shawn…You — and Morgan Freeman — make some good points about Black History month. But I must take exception to one comment you made. You don’t like Morgan Freeman as an actor? How is that possible? Freeman is one of the great ones. His performances in Driving Miss Daisy, Leon On Me, Brubaker, Shawshank Redemption, and Unforgiven, to name a few, were outstanding and memorable. I love your blog — but now I’ve got to wonder about your taste in movies.
If history was taught fully and honestly in schools there wouldn’t be a need for a Black History Month.
Mark nails it.
Mark and DS: Can you elaborate? How/where is history not being taught “fully and honestly”? I’ve been in public school education for 15 years and American History courses incorporate Black History throughout the entire year, and then there’s the added month of February where the course focuses virtually exclusively on Black History.
As for Morgan Freeman, his take about stopping talk about racism is spot on. Freeman has been my favorite actor for some time now, too. His “Shawshank Redemption” performance is spellbinding, and I would have loved working for him if he really WAS principal of the school in “Lean On Me.”
“Easy Reader” was a role model and mentor for this Nebraska boy back in the 70’s!
It’s funny but he seemed like the same guy in Nurse Betty…
The only thing I’ve seen Freeman in is Electric Company, and I liked watching him.
Easy Reader says this post is easy to read…
Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
Personally, I think Freeman is one of the best in the business. He can elevate crap to respectability, make good films seem great, and (with the right people around him), help make great films classics (see Unforgiven).
In this way, I think Freeman is almost exactly like Gene Hackman (another all-time favorite), so much so that I frequently think of him as the “black Gene Hackman.”
That’s why Unforgiven is so great: Clint + Freeman + Hackman = Classic.
Sorry to deviate from the topic a little. I just love this guy as an actor. (Never did see Glory, though.)
As for him calling out Black History Month for the stupidity that it is, good for him.
What about The Unforgiven’?
Morgan Freeman played the best President of the United States, ever, in my humble opinion. He was the President in “Deep Impact” which came out during the Clinton years.
Who didn’t want Morgan in the White House rather than the Clintons? I know he is an actor who portrayed a brave and intelligent man, but what an actor!
I was trying to decide if I would post special blogs for Black History Month. After reading your article, I am not sure if I will, but if I do it will be with a much more positive focus.
As for how history is taught today. I think schools are often getting it wrong no matter what race they are talking about. Why do we expect them to get it right when it comes to blacks? They will teach what will prepare kids for the liberal agenda.
[quote]Morgan Freeman played the best President of the United States, ever, in my humble opinion. He was the President in “Deep Impact†which came out during the Clinton years.
Who didn’t want Morgan in the White House rather than the Clintons? I know he is an actor who portrayed a brave and intelligent man, but what an actor![/quote]
I loved him in that role as well, Bonnie.
Hube, the Maryland school system, in 2005, just implemented a plan to incorporate Black history throughout the teaching of American history in grade school.
If all school systems and parents did this, Black History Month would not be necessary.
Just check the history it.
Darkstar: Are you seriously saying that w/o such a plan, Black History will not be taught? As I stated, my district and many others I’ve seen incorporate Black history year-round, and there’s no set “plan” needed. Because, after all, it’s just common sense that Black history is American history, and the vast majority of history realize this.
Or, is it that you are “unsatisfied” w/the degree of Black history taught? In predominately black districts where such history may be THE primary focus, is that “acceptable?” As acceptable as a rural virtually all-white ditrict that may not cover much black history at all? Somewhere in between?
vast majority of history teachers, I should have said….
ITS JUST ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY THE LIBERALS FOR REPERATIONS FOR SLAVERY
If history was taught fully and honestly in schools there wouldn’t be a need for a Black History Month.
Exactly. Those claiming that black history is taught throughout the school year are either from a different world from me or are dillusional. I shared the same sentiments as Chris Rock when he said that black history in school for him = Martin Luther King. And that was it. For me it was slavery and Martin Luther King. Beyond that, I grew up believing that people who looked like me had accomplished nothing significant to this country nor world.
Darkstar: Are you seriously saying that w/o such a plan, Black History will not be taught?
That has been the case throughout history.
Or, is it that you are “unsatisfied†w/the degree of Black history taught? In predominately black districts where such history may be THE primary focus, is that “acceptable?â€
Being that that degree is miniscule, I’m sure that many would be “unsatisfied”. And the curriculum in the majority black districts are the same as in the majority white districts.
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