Will Generation X Be the Final Torch Bearer for Black History Month?

By Thomas Brooks

            Despite the ups and downs I have experienced in my life, growing up as a multicultural individual in an African-American family, I have an optimistic view on race relations in the world. Although there will always be some prejudice, I believe that things will definitely continue to get better with each generation. Here in the United States, I have noticed a marked improvement in the last twenty years.  To paraphrase the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we have prejudice and hate because we fear each other. We fear each other because we don't know each other. We don't know each other because we are so often separated from each other. I think that even so-called "good Christian people" have to agree that one of the most segregated times in America is Sunday morning at 11 a.m., when Blacks and Whites typically go into different buildings to worship the same God using the same Bible.  We should, individually, strive to build relationships with people who do not look like us, think like us, worship like us, or act like us.

            But, Dr. King, Maynard Jackson and Rosa Parks have passed on.  Andrew Young and Jesse Jackson have passed the age of 65.  Generation X, the group born between 1963 and 1978, now does much of the work in carrying the torch for Black History Month, the annual celebration of the history and contributions of African-Americans in the United States, held in the month of February. 

With more education and diverse experiences, we can eradicate racism and create world citizens. I am very proud of my heritage as an African-American, but I have also learned to view myself as a world citizen. I am no longer limited by race, religion, nationality, or political ideology.  Many people, who, like me, are part of Generation X, are also beginning to view themselves as world citizens.  This is irrespective of race.  Thus, the goals of Black History Month should not only be viewed in terms of their impact on the United States, but on the rest of the world as well.  It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich magnitude of diversity contained within each person.

            Throughout my travels to six continents, I have learned to embrace diverse cultures, ideas, and ethnic groups. With this perspective, it is easy to see that the two-way racism between Blacks and Whites in America is the result of ignorance. Furthermore, discord within the African-American community between light-skinned and dark-skinned people is just plain stupid. Ethnic group conflicts over politics like those in Kenya are misguided, tragic, and self-defeating. Ethnic group conflicts that lead to war, like those in Bosnia, the Sudan and Rwanda are even more irrational.  The Japanese have fought Koreans, Indians have fought with Pakistanis, and the list goes on. When we realize that all people are citizens of the world and then begin to truly value and respect diverse cultures, ideas, and backgrounds the world becomes less dangerous and people suffer less.

            We can initiate firm inroads against racism, tribalism, and infighting through education and awareness. For example, increased knowledge about our own history now allows African-Americans to take pride in our great inventors, writers, physicians, and statesmen. I want to encourage Black Americans, often oppressed for almost four hundred years, but now more educated than ever on our own history, to take pride in our influence on world culture.

            Whether right or wrong, the United States has more influence than any other country on the world's popular culture, including music, dance, fashion, and movies. I have personally seen this in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. In my opinion, African-Americans do the most to set the overall tempo for pop culture in the United States. African-Americans have given the world jazz, blues, gospel, funk, and hip-hop. Elements of African-American culture are assimilated into "America's culture," and then American culture propagates across the world. Thus, in my view, African-Americans, more than any other group, set the tone for pop culture across the world. This phenomenon is monumental and African-Americans often receive little credit for it.

            And this year in the month of February, we are witnessing the historical crowning of the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl, and the launch of the presidential campaign of the most formidable African-American candidate ever (Go Barack 2008!).  These are great strides indeed, yet there is still a long way to go.  But as Black History Month founder Dr. Carter Woodson would encourage, let us celebrate this month.  Eventually, I hope, Black History Month will no longer be necessary as our history and contributions are fully appreciated in the context of America's overall history.  But we are not quite there yet.  For now, this is a great opportunity to not only educate ourselves, but to educate those outside the African-American community as well.  Let's not miss the mark this year.  Maybe by the time those in Generation Y are in their forties, a separate Black History Month celebration will not be needed.

Thomas Brooks is a multiracial adoptee and the author of the award-winning, bestselling book, A Wealth of Family: An Adopted Son's International Quest for Heritage, Reunion and Enrichment.  For more, go to http://www.AlphaMultimedia.com.