Take a good look at my photo. I'm a white man. Not just any white man; an old white man. So how do you think I feel about Black History Month?
I love it! And why wouldn't I? It celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of people who have enriched my life! It doesn't detract one bit from the accomplishments of anyone else to focus on the achievements of African-Americans for a month. It merely serves to remind me what a wonderful and colorful world I live in!
I don't listen to just one kind of music, and I sure don't like to stare at just one scene or color all the time. I like variety in my life. And Black History Month helps me appreciate that variety just a little more. Variety doesn't dilute anything for me; it enriches everything!
To those who get upset about there being a Black History Month, but no White History Month, I would say this: why aren't you lobbying for one, then? That's how we got Black History Month. People who cared enough about it got off their behinds and did something about it.
I want to hear different perspectives. I want to have my ideas and preconceptions challenged once in awhile. I'm not threatened by people who see things differently from me -- even those who vehemently disagree with me. I want to know the truth. And learning the truth usually requires examining every perspective, sorting through conflicting versions of the same events, and applying rational thought. If my knowledge, beliefs, and values can't withstand a different point of view once in awhile, then maybe they're not grounded in the truth. If they are, listening to another opinion can't do me any harm, can it?
I'm a white man who's glad there's a Black History Month. I just wish there were eleven other varieties to go with it. That would make life the richer still.
And please remember: "the opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my sponsors."
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