It’s important to remember, acknowledge and celebrate our history.
by Frank Roman
Hello again, folks. This past week I stumbled across an article that was written by a black woman explicitly for a black audience. Authored by Belinda Wright, a columnist whose article in question is called ‘Why Black History Month is important’ I found it to be an enlightening read. What struck me the most about this piece is the fact that I could not disagree with what Ms. Wright had to say; and that is her encouragement to African Americans to keep in touch with their history, culture and heritage. In fact I would condemn anyone who encouraged or conditioned any ethnic group to forget their heritage and subsequently ignore their future. Of course, you know as well as I do that is exactly what the federal government, certain hostile ethnic groups, along with their bosses in the media want to do. With duplicity being their stock in trade these anti-white supremacists want to ensure by whatever means necessary that European Americans do not collectively rise up against the politically correct multicultural bilge washing across the fruited plain.
At any rate, after I read Ms. Wright’s treatise, which was written onthe heels of Barack Obama’s ascension into heaven — in the middle ofBlack History month no less — it occurred to me how comfortable thislady was to have written it. Like other black activists she feared norepercussions from any quarter whatsoever, knowing full well hersincere message would be received with nodding approval at best orambivalence at the very worst. Defamation would not be forthcoming forher clearly racial message, which was directed to her own people. Infact, the advice to her people struck me as more of a declaration, oneof countless attempts, seen and unseen, to maintain the lock her groupnow has on the political and social culture in America today.
So here’s what we’re going to do. By virtue of the fact that whiteAmericans face a deadly threat in the years to come, that being ourdemographic decline to minority status, I am going to take Ms. Wright’sessay and transpose its message to our people nearly verbatim. Byclearly citing her work I am in no danger of plagiarism. But I do wantto point out our enemies’ breathless hypocrisy– their intention ofsuppressing the collective awareness and racial consciousness EuropeanAmericans are long overdue for—especially in this age of Barack Obamaand now Michael Steele. Of course, had this message appeared with awhite point of view in the same newspaper at the same time, the Shylocks over at the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the internationalcriminals over at the Anti-Defamation League would publicly crucify thenewspaper in question and urge its advertisers to boycott doingbusiness with it. As you listen (yet again and I thank you!) imagineyou are reading this treatise to a panel of senators like you see onC-Span or at a city council meeting in defense of your beliefs whichhave come under fire. As you conclude your talk, you calmly reveal toyour hostile audience that what they just heard was actually written bya black woman to a black audience, but you merely switched around a fewwords to suit your purposes. Appealing, isn’t it?
So let’s take Ms.Wright’s very public, well-received instructions to heart shall we? Infact I would suggest that you copy both publications, or at least acorresponding portion of them, have a friend or relative (or better yeta university instructor) read this one first, and then hand over Ms.Wrights original, and then ask them: what’s the problem?
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Even though many people are afraid to admit it, the United States waslong recognized as a white nation. Since our country’s founding, manywhite communities, joined by people of comparable and dissimilarinterests and backgrounds, came together to commemorate theaccomplishments and contributions of their fellow European Americans inthe history of this country.
There have always been a variety of holidays and events, some lavish,some humble at best, but all to recall and remember to some degree thetrials, the triumphs and the pride of a people who have not onlyovercome tremendous odds to survive, but also pursued and accomplishedmuch with great success, even at overwhelming costs. So remember wemust. We are not only compelled to remember and tell our story, but weare strengthened as we do.
We are strengthened as a people when we recall and review our historyand our values. Lessons are learned by reflecting on our past,recalling the good as well as bad times and how we made it through as acommunity with a common cause — to survive and prosper. We can and mustadmit we are not a perfect people, but we are a unique people and haveevery right to prolong our existence.
Some memories remind us that we’ve seen lean times before. We givethose times names as points of reference and when mentioned, universalas well as individual images emerge: Plymouth Rock, Jamestown, TheRevolutionary War, the Age of Enlightenment, the IndustrialRevolution, The War Between the States, the Great Depression, thepsychedelic sixties, the Good Old Days, the Bad Old Days, Columbus Day,St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas Day, Easter, Veterans day, the list goeson. Some memories of our history are told with pride, some are toldwith shame, but they all need to be told so the lessons can be sharedand passed down and learned from. We are strengthened as a communitywhen we share the histories that hold value and significance to us.These narratives and events help to define us; they say what isimportant to us as a people. We have the responsibility to guard them,nurture them, not to compromise them, but most importantly, to sharethem so that those who come after us can learn.
We are strengthened as individuals when we recall and review ourheritage. It gives us an opportunity to ask questions of ourselves: Whoam I as a person? What am I made of? Where did I come from? What valueseither from my immediate or extended family or community has beeninstilled in me that I can call upon to stand, to act? What connects meto my inner circle? Are they a reflection of me, or am I reflectingthem?
The strength of our character is in how we express who we are — ourpresence, our integrity, our confidence, and our expressions —physically and verbally. Are we consistent in those expressions? Can webe relied upon to be whom we say we are as a people? What isnon-negotiable?
So, how do we remember who we are and where we come from? How do we tell our story?
As communities become more racially dissimilar, it is important to setaside time to acknowledge and educate others on the contributions anddiverse abilities of people within our community, while at the sametime, reminding ourselves of our rich heritage and promising future.
As extended family members and friends move further and further awayfrom the “homestead,” it must become essential to come together tocommunicate, commemorate and celebrate our personal history and ofcourse our national heritage before the stories are lost. Establishtraditions; create an environment of remembering and sharing. Takeadvantage of the low cost technology available to record the storiesand songs, digitize the pictures, and create a true memory book thatcan be shared and passed down from generation to generation.
Display something in your home or space that expresses who you are orreflects your history. Bring out those black and white (or rather beigeand yellow) photographs, mixed-matched china pieces, long-worn warmedals and ribbons. Surround yourself with great art and personalthings– great and small– that unmistakably remind you of youridentity.
Any day, any week, any month is a good time to set aside some time topersonally or nationally commemorate European American history andculture. We will not be restricted to do as we wish; to celebrate ourheritage and ensure our future. Our story as a people and as a race isan odyssey, a long and growing one and can’t possibly be compacted,ignored and forgotten. So create traditions, establish times to gather,share the stories and the songs before they are lost.
It’s important toremember for when the children ask, “What do these things mean?” we canproudly respond.
Thanks again for listening.