I Have A Dream

Usually during Black History Month I do a daily post on my Facebook page spotlighting a moment in Black History.  This year I thought I’d do something a little different but couldn't think of anything to do that would be representative of my Black History sentiments.  To some degree, I still haven’t come up with anything. 

I was listening to a nationally syndicated radio show yesterday and the question the host posed was; “Is Black History Month relevant /necessary anymore?” I listened as callers expressed their opinions on either side of the issue. Valid points were made on either side.  One caller in particular got my attention. He made the point that he remembers ‘learning’ about the SAME people, hearing the SAME stories, watching the SAME movies, etc. every year during Black History Month.  It made me begin to ponder the question myself.  Is Black History Month still relevant? My easy answer to the question is “YES”! Black History Month is necessary and it is still relevant.  The bigger question to me is: Have we limited ourselves by calling it Black History Month? After all, History is what it is.  History doesn't change. History is the past.  Is it possible that we miss out on celebrating African-American culture in a way that is representative of the progress—and sometimes lack of progress—we've made in various areas? Can we celebrate the African-American Culture better by recognizing an African-American HERITAGE Month versus a HISTORY month? The truth of the matter is; I think that’s what we already do in some instances.

Rather than spending countless hours at formal programs “learning” about Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington…….., can we just spend time recognizing our current struggles and successes.  I mean, really, if I hear one more verse of “We Shall Overcome” I think I’m gonna poke my eyes out with two sticks! Haven’t we overcome SOMETHING by now? I know we have a LONG way to go still but singing we SHALL Overcome seems to discount all the accomplishments we've made thus far.  Just my opinion.  

Can we get to a place where we not only talk about Dr. King’s dream and start living some dreams of our own? Don’t each of us have a dream just like Dr. King did? We realize that he did not get a chance to live out his dream but WE have a chance to make our dreams a reality.  Let’s move out of the shadows of HIStory and create our own stories during Black History Month.  Let’s state what our dreams are and do our best to live them out.  Do you have a dream? I do!

• I have a dream that an articulate, educated African-American male in a professional environment will no longer be considered an anomaly by his colleagues.
• I have a dream that my bi-racial and multiracial nieces, nephews, family members and friends will not be gawked at and asked the dumb question, “What are you”?
• I have a dream that my lighter skinned, 100% African-American, family members and friends will never again be asked, “What are you?”
• I have a dream that the American just-US system will view a 16 year old African American male as a Child and not a hardened criminal adult.
• I have a dream that my nephews, cousins, friends and family members will never again be stopped by the police for “suspicion” when the reality is they were Driving While Black.
• I have a dream that social service programs will no longer be viewed by the establishment as a way of life for African American families.
• I have a dream that the African-American “Ratchetness “ seen on TV and social media  does not become the status quo for us.
• I have a dream that intelligent and articulate boys and girls will never again be accused of “acting white”.
• I have a dream that differences in political opinions will no longer be tools of division in this “ONE Nation under GOD”.

I have a dream that we ALL have dreams that we want to see become reality!

That’s my Dream. What’s yours??