I read something in the “50 Years Ago Today” section of my local newspaper one day last week. It seems that the local chapter of the DAR was making preparations for “American History Month” coming up in February. Now it’s “Black History Month”. When did it change? Why? Why can’t we change it back, and celebrate ALL American History, not just the history of a chosen few?
I applaud your plea for inclusiveness, but it’s ironic to reference the DAR, the organization that refused to allow 100% American Marian Anderson to perform in Constitution Hall 21 years before the time you mention. To their credit, the DAR did invite Marian Anderson to perform there in 1943 for the benefit of the American Red Cross, according to Wikipedia.
According to the University of Kansas Medical Center Diversity Calendar, March is Greek-American and Irish-American Heritage Month, May is Asian Pacific American History Month, September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month, October is German-American, Italian-American, and Polish-American Heritage Month, and November is National American Indian Heritage Month. Shall we ditch them all? Can we keep Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Canada Day?
In NYC, there are days designated for celebrating just about every ethnic group, even Norwegians and Tibetans; and/or big events the whole city is invited to. (The West Indian Day Parade every Labor Day, which is the biggest crowd in the city all year with far over 1 million people … the food alone makes it worth it. The annual street festival in Little Italy clogs multiple streets for almost two straight weeks.)
Yet NYC also loves Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. So how can you say that celebrating our individual roots has to happen to the exclusion of celebrating our nation?!
I think there’s something wrong with the patriotism of a person who can’t celebrate America without a put-down of every American in particular.
(Does a #1 redskins fan celebrate a chosen few?)
(Do we have to celebrate Sports generically, and ban cheering for football alone … not to mention abolishing all team spirit?)
briankblough about 15 years ago
I read something in the “50 Years Ago Today” section of my local newspaper one day last week. It seems that the local chapter of the DAR was making preparations for “American History Month” coming up in February. Now it’s “Black History Month”. When did it change? Why? Why can’t we change it back, and celebrate ALL American History, not just the history of a chosen few?
davisonhg about 15 years ago
I applaud your plea for inclusiveness, but it’s ironic to reference the DAR, the organization that refused to allow 100% American Marian Anderson to perform in Constitution Hall 21 years before the time you mention. To their credit, the DAR did invite Marian Anderson to perform there in 1943 for the benefit of the American Red Cross, according to Wikipedia.
According to the University of Kansas Medical Center Diversity Calendar, March is Greek-American and Irish-American Heritage Month, May is Asian Pacific American History Month, September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month, October is German-American, Italian-American, and Polish-American Heritage Month, and November is National American Indian Heritage Month. Shall we ditch them all? Can we keep Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Canada Day?
avonsalis about 15 years ago
In NYC, there are days designated for celebrating just about every ethnic group, even Norwegians and Tibetans; and/or big events the whole city is invited to. (The West Indian Day Parade every Labor Day, which is the biggest crowd in the city all year with far over 1 million people … the food alone makes it worth it. The annual street festival in Little Italy clogs multiple streets for almost two straight weeks.)
Yet NYC also loves Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. So how can you say that celebrating our individual roots has to happen to the exclusion of celebrating our nation?!
I think there’s something wrong with the patriotism of a person who can’t celebrate America without a put-down of every American in particular.
avonsalis about 15 years ago
(Does a #1 redskins fan celebrate a chosen few?) (Do we have to celebrate Sports generically, and ban cheering for football alone … not to mention abolishing all team spirit?)
pilotx about 15 years ago
If we were more inclusive we wouldn’t need specific ethnic history months. Maybe one day but we’re not there yet. Maybe soon.