Why I Celebrate Black History Month
Why I Celebrate Black History Month: An Apologetic
By: Daniel Fagbuyi
First Things First…
As my friends and I would say in our colloquial dialect, “off the rip” as in first of all or from the onset, let me clearly state that this blog is not intended to convince the reader to celebrate Black History Month. Rather, I am simply sharing my well-informed reasoning for celebrating Black History Month. Of course, you are more than welcome to use the reasons I share in this blog as a basis for why you might choose to celebrate Black History.
Now, my reasons for celebrating Black History Month may be placed into 3 distinct but related categories— Historical, Psychological, and Biblical. I will explore each of these categories later, but first, let’s define terms.
So, what exactly is “Black History Month”?
Well, for staters what we now refer to as Black History Month actually started as what was called the “Negro History Week”[1]. The Negro History Week took place during the second week of February. The second week of February was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln and the birthday of Mr. Frederick Douglass, the distinguished social reformer and esteemed statesman. Both men were celebrated for their contributions to the nation and their exploits in the abolition of slavery. These men worked to see the realization of the words of the Declaration of Independence[2], which reminds us that all humans are created equal and are endowed with unalienable rights by their creator.
A Historical Apologetic…
In light of the words of the Declaration of Independence and the fact that African-Americans have been deprived of the rights it espouses, the Negro Week or now Black History Month is an attempt to highlight the humanity and brilliance of African-Americans. So, in short, Black History Month is an annual observance of the unique and often ignored or unknown contributions of African-Americans to the Americas and the world. In truth, Black History is American History and World History, since both the Americas and the world have benefited greatly from the contributions of African-Americans.
So I celebrate Black History Month because the contributions of Africans and African-Americans have been largely usurped, ignored, minimized, undiscovered, and uncelebrated. Black History Month is a time to acknowledge the important roles of African-Americans in the establishment and advancement of this nation (and of humanity). It is an opportunity to begin to right some historical wrongs. As a Christian who worships and celebrates a just God who will one day finally right all wrongs, it is in my character to pursue and celebrate justice— the righting of present and historical wrongs anywhere they exist.
A Psychological Apologetic…
The second reason I celebrate Black History Month is psychological. When I say that the contributions and brilliance of African-Americans have been largely usurped, ignored, minimized, undiscovered, and uncelebrated by the world, I am not just referring to the non-whites. The negative stereotypes and caricatures of African-Americans have not just influenced the psyche of non-blacks— White, Asians, and Hispanics, etc... Sadly, many African-Americans have also bought into the European paradigm that people of African descent are inferior (genetically and intellectually). Sadly, the negative tropes and the revisionist history that promote the lie that people of African descent are genetically inferior have cause deep psychological trauma.
American society has continually labeled African-Americans as worthless, even though America was built on their backs and brilliance. And, African-Americans (not all) have been (classically) conditioned to believe the worst about themselves. Here the old Yoruba adage rings true, which loosely translated says “if you continually tell someone that they are worthless, don’t be surprised when start to believe you.” This is psychological warfare in the most intimate and heinous form— causing a people to devalue and hate themselves.
So, I celebrate Black History Month as a way to combat the psychological warfare of negative tropes, stereotypes, and caricatures of African-Americans, which I too have been influenced by. Black History Month is a reminder of the worth and value of a people who have been exploited and devalued since the first African slaves arrived on the shores of America in 1619. Black History Month is a small but welcomed attempt to combat and (maybe) undue over 400 years of sustained psychological warfare waged against the mind and soul of African-Americans. This is why I celebrate Black History Month.
A Biblical Apologetic…
Finally, I celebrate Black History Month because I firmly and faithfully believe in the Bible. More specifically, I believe in the biblical doctrine of the “IMAGO DEI”. The doctrine of the “IMAGO DEI” posits the biblical truth that all human beings are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26; 9:6) and therefore have God-given, intrinsic value and worth.
The tenets of this doctrine (Imago Dei) is said by some to be the source of the words found in the aforementioned Declaration of Independence. But sadly, the American system and way of life has and does continue to exclude African-Americans from the family of humanity— image-bearers of God.
Even worse, is the fact that America has “ab-used” the Bible to justify the perpetual enslavement, abuse, murder, and ongoing marginalization of Africans and Africa-Americans. Many have even gone as far as stating that they were and are doing God’s bidding and in line with His will by perpetuating injustices against people of African descent and denying them the inalienable rights they have been endowed with by their creator, God (YHWH). So I celebrate Black History Month, because by so doing I celebrate the “IMAGO DEI”, in all people, even and especially those who have been historically, psychologically, and spiritually oppressed and marginalized as inferior. By celebrating Black History Month, we restore the dignity of a people and honor the God who made them in His own image. Selah!
Resources to Consider…
For more on the concepts mentioned in this blog, here some resources for you to consider…
· The Bible (Genesis – Revelation)
· Even the Rat was White: A Historical View of Psychology—Robert Guthrie
· Color of Compromise (Book and/or Video) —Jemar Tisby
· The Image Of God: An Approach From Biblical and Systematic Theology —John Piper
· Sticking to the Gospel: Do Justice by —Daniel Fagbuyi
[1] Negro History Week was created in 1926 and was the precursor to Black History Month, which was created 1970.
[2] We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…
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