Black History Month a Sham

Black History Month a Sham

By Kevin Palmer

For many, Black History Month is nothing but tokenism, a sham, and a reminder of Black inferiority. From the time of slavery, to 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, until the present day, Blacks in America have been at the bottom when it comes to net worth.

According to a September 2017, FederalReserve.gov website article, Recent Trends in Wealth-Holding by Race and Ethnicity: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances, “In 2016 White families had the highest median net worth at $171,000 while Black families median net worth was $17,000. Hispanic families had a median net worth of $20,000.” Furthermore, the survey stated “all other groups have a lower net worth than whites, but higher net worth than Black families.” In America, this has been the trend since no other race has been enslaved, robbed, and mistreated for hundreds of years.

For this reason, whites should acknowledge Black history is the story of how abusive treatment of Blacks contributed to their success and survival. Moreover, Whites should acknowledge Black history is the story of how free slave labor was the bridge over troubled waters which made it easier for Whites to survive, accumulate wealth, and achieve the American dream.

Therefore, Black History Month should be a time for Blacks to receive reparations and for Whites to confess and apologize for their historical mistreatment of Blacks.