Okay, so the question around the office has become, "What are you angry about today?". I guess that means people have been reading the stuff that I have been spewing. For this, I thank you all. But to answer the question...History Months.
This month, as we all know, is Black History Month. We also have Women's History Month, Latin American History Month, Pacific Islander Month, American Indian Heritage Month...and the list goes on and on. Do I have issue with other nationalities? No. But when I turn on ESPN radio and hear Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic speaking about African American Heritage...I throw up in my mouth just a little bit.
Would I listen to the Rev. Al Sharpton speak about Black History? Yes. Rev. Jesse Jackson? Yes. Betty Shabazz (Malcolm Little's wife)? YES. But a 300lb irishman (Golic) and a 160lb jewish guy that isn't Sammy Davis Jr. (Greenberg)? Not just no, but HELL NO! I pick on Greeny and Golic because they were easy targets in this scenario. I would not listen to Celine Dion, I would not listen to Vince Vaughn, not Susan Sarandon, not the late Michael Landon. Is it because these people are white? No. It is the same with many of the "heritage celebrations" that we are subject to as part of political correctness. The "subject matter expert" that is trying to educate us is usually less informed than the members of the audience. I tend to compare "heritage months" to religion. If I want to learn about it, I will educate myself.
When I was in High School, I took it upon myself to go to the library (for you younger readers...this is where they used to store books and other reference materials). I researched the life of Malcolm Little, from his humble beginnings through his tragic end. This was well before Spike Lee and Denzel Washington got together to make the movie of his life. Why did I do this? Because I had heard that Malcolm X was a powerful speaker with strong beliefs, but was murdered because he changed his views on inter-race relations. In the process, I came across the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. I read about Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, Stokely Carmichael, Eldridge Cleaver...Danny Glover (yes Sgt Murtaugh). These were strong members of black history. I was tired of hearing about George Washington Carver and Frederick Douglas. Not to take anything away from these great men's achievements, but they are all in the standard history books. With the invention of the google machines and the interweb, there is no excuse for people who want to know...not to know.
I do not need a month dedicated to the radio, television, newspapers, Google logos, and whatever else force feeding me history. If I want to know, I will find out. One of my closest friends is from South Africa. Where is his month? There isn't one. If I want to now about South African American History, I will ask him! There are 12 months in each year. There are much more than 12 nationalities that have come to this great nation of ours and melted together. How do we determine who gets a month and who doesn't? Do we make a time share schedule? Do Asians get the odd years and Europeans get the even ones? Ridiculous people! We are all Americans, we are all one people, One Nation Under a Groove if you will. Stop the heritage months! If you are curious about your own nationality's history, do your research. If you are curious about another, do your research. If you want to be some ignorant, barefoot hillbilly, do that too! We are who we are, and we are all Americans!
Stay tuned true believers, and keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times!
-Salty Dog
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I agree with the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I also understand why members of any non-WASP, and I don't mean Blackie Lawless' WASP, group would want a month . Let's face it, up until very recently very little credit is given to the contributions of minority groups in the "American Story" as we have come to learn of it.
Until we reach a point where all of the different threads that have weaved the tapestry of this county's history are recognized we'll be calendar deep in this group month or that group day.
How could you pick on Michael Landon, he was a f'n probationary angel he spoke for everyone in "Highway to Heaven"?
ReplyDeleteAndrew
How about we all just celebrate the fact that we live in a country where our freedoms are protected, our rights upheld and free speech is the order of the day? Oh, sorry, I thought we were in Sweden for a minute there.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but until the pseudo-fascists and quasi-Nazis who run this country start treating us like adults who know how to make smart choices and think for ourselves....SHIT!
Alright, how about we start small. How about an "America Day"? A day on which we celebrate our differences instead of being divided by them. How about a national celebration of our rich and diverse cultural heritage that doesn't involve alcohol or some yahoo getting his eyebrows singed off because he wanted to show his kids what a great man (??) he is by building a fucking bonfire to cook some hot dogs and hamburgers?
Let's not forget the principles on which this country was founded. Let's stand up for our rights instead of being told what to celebrate. I, for one, am going to do our founding fathers proud this month by celebrating the creation of the micro-brew. Yes, faithful believers, the heady, spicy, sometimes bitter and always sure to please beer. Maybe we didn't invent the micro-brew, but we sure as hell did a damned good job of perfecting it.
I hereby declare this Pete's Wicked month!!
OK. So I have to commend Mr. Naude for the ingenious idea and will also celebrate micro-brew month. I say it should begin on January 1 and end December 31.
ReplyDeleteWhat, that would be a year and not a month. Nay Nay, I reply. If celebrated properly you'll only remember 30 of those days (31 if your not quite up to the full challenge) anyway. So a month it is!