What’s in the name of…

So let us pick up where we left off, with more simple word definitions. What does the word “history” mean?

History /ˈhɪst(ə)ri /
▸ noun
1 [mass noun] the study of past events, particularly in human affairs:
▪the past considered as a whole:
2 the whole series of past events connected with a particular person or thing:

— Oxford Dictionary of English

The #2 definition is the one to focus on since we are talking about a particular thing, about a particular people… let’s keep that in mind as we discuss the so-called “Black History Month”. And of course, before we go any further, let us define “Black”:

Black /blak /
▸ adjective
1 of the very darkest colour owing to the absence of or complete absorption of light; the opposite of white:
▪(of the sky or night) completely dark owing to the sun, moon, or stars not being visible:
▪deeply stained with dirt:
▪(of a plant or animal) dark in colour as distinguished from a lighter variety:
2 (also Black) belonging to or denoting a human group having dark-coloured skin, especially of sub-Saharan African ancestry. See usage at black:
he discusses the position of black people in America
the entire cast is black
the Black community.
▪mainly Australian denoting or relating to a person of Australian Aboriginal origin or descent.
▪relating to black people:
black culture
3 characterized by tragic or disastrous events; causing despair or pessimism:
“five thousand men were killed on the blackest day of the war”
“the future looks black.”
▪(of a person’s state of mind) full of gloom or misery; very depressed:
“Jean had disappeared and Mary was in a black mood.”
▪(of humour) presenting tragic or harrowing situations in comic terms:
▪full of anger or hatred:
▪archaic very evil or wicked:
“my soul is steeped in the blackest sin.”

▸ noun
1 [mass noun] black colour or pigment:
▪black clothes or material, typically worn as a sign of mourning:
▪darkness, especially of night or an overcast sky:

—Oxford Dictionary of English

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So, according to the definitions above, what would “Black History Month” center on? Never mind what we have been taught year after year during “Black History Month”, let us consider the history of the so-called “Black people”. We are NOT taught about the history of the Aboriginal Australians, who are listed in the definition of “Black” above, are we? We are NOT taught about the history of Asian Indians who have dark, so-called “black” skin-tone either, are we? No. Instead, we are taught about the so-called “Black American”, the so-called “Negro”, correct?

And, year after year, we see celebrations and education points that teach “Black History” beginning with the enslavement of so-called “Black American people” but does it ever begin with the origin of “Black people”? Do we ever hear about the nation and bloodline which these “Black” people come from? Do we get the WHOLE history, as the definition of history states? Nope. But in school, movies, tv, online, etc… we are instead presented with the history of a people who fell victim to, fought against, and continue to strive to overcome the inhumanity which they were/are subjected to, because they fit the byword of being “Black”.

Another point to keep in mind, this is the land which declares itself to be: “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”, but if we look around in the news, on social media, in our own states and cities, that’s far from the case, isn’t it? And each year, “Black History Month” reminds us, how much it’s been more like: liberty and justice for some, but not all… For those who are born into the so-called “Black Community,” the American dream and motto has been a declaration of hypocrisy.

The “Black Community” are, as we talked about in our last discussion, are still a people who descend from a nation & bloodline, forgotten or unknown to most. A nation whose origin and history existed before they arrived on the continents and islands in the Americas, Europe, and Asia by way of slavery. Again, instead of nationality, we are taught the dismissive byword “BLACK”. Instead of a country of origin, we are taught “African-American”, two huge continents which contain a staggering 89 countries combined (54 and 35 respectively.). So of course, Black History starts with and focuses on surviving slavery, because if “Black people” realize what nation they are, according to biology, archeology, history as a WHOLE, and most importantly according to the Bible, well… then the culture would matter, the responsibilities would matter, the lives would matter. And it would matter to the entire world.

We shifted gears quickly, I know. And you might be wondering, what does the Bible have to do with “Black History”, well… The Bible provides defining signs which identify a particular & peculiar people that would consistently suffer, the same hardships that Black History Month highlights. And Black History Month observances never seem to reference the Bible contextually, meanwhile, the Bible fully provides the cause and cure for the plight of the people. Hopefully, we will be able to connect the dots and see the picture more clearly in our next discussion.

If you haven’t read over the points in the previous post, please do so, as it will continue to be foundational as we build on this topic.

Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn