February is the official "Love The Black Folk" month. As I grow older, the less I care for it. I'd rather see recognition year round rather than just a month. When Black History month was initially started by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, it was meant to be a temporary thing until we were finally acknowledged as part of American History. Unfortunately, that never occurred. Sure, there is a blurb or two about the contributions of the slaves in the history books, but no where near enough.

Back when I was a child in grade school, I really looked forward to Black History month. I knew that it would be the only time that I'd see and hear about black people and the amazing lives that they led. The books that we studied American History from only had about 3 pages worth of information about us. THREE PAGES. How can you fit the practical theft of an entire race of people and the injustice they suffered and their eventual freedom on 3 pages? There was quite a bit about Abraham Lincoln and theEmancipation Proclamation. The books really made him out to be a hero, which he was, but where is the information about the people that he had to work so hard for? Morgan Freeman had it right when he said that Black History month is ridiculous.

We watched a great documentary last night on PBS called African American Lives. The host of the show traced the roots of 9 very prominent African Americans, some as far back as the actual tribe their family came from in Africa. It was very moving and wonderful to see and hear about where you came from. I'd love to know more about my family and where we came from. Maybe someday I'll have the money to have research like this done.