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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — February is Black History Month. Why do we need a Black History Month if black history is integrated with American history? Is it an insult to have black history relegated to the shortest and coldest month of the year?
Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African-American filmmaker, embarks on a provocative cross-country journey to determine if a Black History Month is really necessary and important. His research and findings are the subject of February's Community Cinema film “More Than A Month.”
The idea of establishing an annual time to focus on black history dates back to 1926. African-American historian Carter G. Woodson inaugurated Negro History Week which quickly morphed into a month. The arguments for a Black History Month center around the premise that this provides a time to focus on the achievements of black people, feature their art and remember the contributions of notable African-American figures.
Countering this notion, Tilghman speculates that segregation by the month is still segregation.
Is February mainly a month for corporations to profit from exploiting blacks? For example, a Nike ad featuring black athletic shoes, or, ironically, the ad, “Celebrate Black History Month with Heineken,” on buses where once blacks were restricted to back seats. Corporations, however, insist that selling their wares puts money back into the community.
With the help of Harvard professors, Tilghman visits Chicago, Los Angeles, Albany and New York City surveying people on the streets as to whether an annual black history celebration is viewed favorably or unfavorably. The result: Some favorably, some unfavorably. However, he discovers that many ethnic groups strongly believe in promoting their history and cultures.
There is St. Patrick's Day in March; Asian Pacific American History and the Cinco de Mayo event in May; German-American Heritage, National Italian-American Heritage and Polish-American Heritage in October; and National American Indian Heritage in November, plus other cultural celebrations throughout the year.
“More Than a Month” is a serious tongue-in-cheek ride through our American/Black culture. Meeting with historians and speaking with blacks and whites on the city streets, Tilghman investigates why, or why not, celebrating ethnic history is important. He also delves into the question of who decides how history is told in textbooks.
Did you know that 15 people, 10 Republicans and five Democrats, in Texas decide the content of what goes into Texas schoolbooks, and that up to 40 states use these texts which are published in Texas? Tilghman concludes that the content is politically motivated, not based on academic expertise. History is about power, and power can control the story. Hence, reality proves the need for Black History Month.
Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African-American filmmaker, embarks on a provocative cross-country journey to determine if a Black History Month is really necessary and important. His research and findings are the subject of February's Community Cinema film “More Than A Month.”
The idea of establishing an annual time to focus on black history dates back to 1926. African-American historian Carter G. Woodson inaugurated Negro History Week which quickly morphed into a month. The arguments for a Black History Month center around the premise that this provides a time to focus on the achievements of black people, feature their art and remember the contributions of notable African-American figures.
Countering this notion, Tilghman speculates that segregation by the month is still segregation.
Is February mainly a month for corporations to profit from exploiting blacks? For example, a Nike ad featuring black athletic shoes, or, ironically, the ad, “Celebrate Black History Month with Heineken,” on buses where once blacks were restricted to back seats. Corporations, however, insist that selling their wares puts money back into the community.
With the help of Harvard professors, Tilghman visits Chicago, Los Angeles, Albany and New York City surveying people on the streets as to whether an annual black history celebration is viewed favorably or unfavorably. The result: Some favorably, some unfavorably. However, he discovers that many ethnic groups strongly believe in promoting their history and cultures.
There is St. Patrick's Day in March; Asian Pacific American History and the Cinco de Mayo event in May; German-American Heritage, National Italian-American Heritage and Polish-American Heritage in October; and National American Indian Heritage in November, plus other cultural celebrations throughout the year.
“More Than a Month” is a serious tongue-in-cheek ride through our American/Black culture. Meeting with historians and speaking with blacks and whites on the city streets, Tilghman investigates why, or why not, celebrating ethnic history is important. He also delves into the question of who decides how history is told in textbooks.
Did you know that 15 people, 10 Republicans and five Democrats, in Texas decide the content of what goes into Texas schoolbooks, and that up to 40 states use these texts which are published in Texas? Tilghman concludes that the content is politically motivated, not based on academic expertise. History is about power, and power can control the story. Hence, reality proves the need for Black History Month.
COMMUNITY CINEMA IN THE GRAND VALLEY - FEBRUARY SCHEDULE
Grand Junction Tues., Feb. 14 — 7 p.m. screening followed by panel discussion, 6:30 p.m. reception
Recital Hall, Moss Performing Arts Center
Colorado Mesa University
Free campus parking for this event
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Panelists:
Jesse Bradford, Mr. Colorado Mesa University, Black Student Alliance Member, CMU
Charles Gibson, Man-At-Large
Dr. Sarah Swedberg, Associate Professor of History, CMU
Sylvester Thabit, President of Black Student Alliance, CMU
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Palisade
Thurs., Feb. 16, 6 p.m. screening
Palisade Branch Library, 119 W. Third St.
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Fruita
Wed., Feb. 29, 6:30 p.m. screening
Dinosaur Journey Museum, 550 Jurassic Court
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A community discussion will follow the film in all locations. The event is free and sponsored by Rocky Mountain PBS.
