To me, being black symbolizes resilience. Throughout history we’ve always had to work a little harder than others just to prove our self worth. Whether it’s having to prove that we’re 5/5 of a person as opposed to 3/5, or having to prove that we’re qualified to become president, we’ve always been the underdog, but we’ve always come out on top at the end of the day. Even in my everyday life, I can’t think of a black person I know who hasn’t endured some sort of trying situation. Tenacity is the main thing that comes to mind when I think about us.

Nam Kiwanuka’s move was gutsy. And she is now in the position to direct, produce, and host simultaneously? Amazing.

*

I’m proud of how dedicated we are to our passions and goals despite discriminatory obstacles, etc. The old-school “make a way out of no way” mentality. I love our family/cultural stories…the discussions about hair, skin tone, being 10 steps ahead of non-black peers, and the relevancy (or non-) of these things today. I could probably make a long list here, but my responses are always sooo lengthy…lol I’ll stop.

ahhh! first of all, can i just tell you how much i love black history month? in my first class this morning, (black heritage) we talked about black history month…and honestly, i could have sat there and listened to my professor for hours. there’s so much of MY history, that i didn’t even know about. i’m not even gonna blame it on my predominately white middle & high school, but last semester, when i took my first “african american” course, i was embarassed! i’m supposed to be this “proud” black young woman, but i don’t know parts of my history? okay..i’m getting off topic. LOL.

as a black person, i’m proud of how far we’ve come. i’m proud that i attend an HBCU, and everyday, i see hundreds of black students trying to get an education, i’m proud that my ancestors overcame everything that they did, so i could have what i have today.

Much like this Article I really enjoy looking to those who have gone before right up to the role models of the present. I relish the achievements they’ve made because it’s inspiring.

When I think about what makes me proud to be black, I think of all my family and what they’ve given me to become the best person they knew I could be. They’ve given me all the reasons a strong man needs to strive to excel and persevere. I think about the power of our communities spirit and creativity.

Re: Hubert Davis; his much acclaimed documentary on Regent Park, Invisible City, is airing Feb. 10th on TVO (in Ontario).

http://www.tvo.org/tvfh/
http://www.nfb.ca/film/invisible_city_trailer/

“Many people have qualms about Black History Month as well. I’m talking about other ethnicities who say, “Well why isn’t there a Native American or Chinese History Month?!?” The answer is, because you never got off your ass to start one.”

Yeah, or it could possibly be the whole systematic genocide thing that wiped indigenous people from the map to the point that their remnants were hyper-marginalized in society, confined to reservations or indoctrinated into Western “culture” through forced adoptive kidnappings while children.

Good stuff! you’re right, we always hear about the American Black History and not enough about the great Black Canadians past and present and future. Most of the teenagers today wouldn’t know half of these people but it has to start somewhere. Thanks!

Each one, teach one!

“Many people have qualms about Black History Month as well. I’m talking about other ethnicities who say, “Well why isn’t there a Native American or Chinese History Month?!?” The answer is, because you never got off your ass to start one.”

C Double that sounds like an excuse to me. No on is denying the way in which indigenous folk were treated was wrong. The black community wasn’t treated any better yet we still have a “black history” month.

That being said i celebrate being black all the time and although it is nice to have a black history month I do not feel we are educating ALL those who should be enlightened.
Or maybe it’s the fact that some do not find it important enough to learn about. For some Run DMC is enough black history…..

^^^ did you seriously just try to compare the indigenous experience in North America to the African one? And then go on to ramble about enlightenment?

By no means do I wish to get a pity party started, but there’s not a fucking chance in hell that “the black community” had it as hard as the indigenous. Not even in the same ballpark and for someone to even suggest otherwise is the height of ignorance.

You have a recognized black history month because it was thought to be an easier way to integrate a minority black population into society through teaching them important points in their history such as civil rights and pioneers. The indigenous dont have a recognized month because their population shrank by 95+% during colonization to the point where they make up less than 1% of the fucking population.

North American society has absolutely no interest in trying to integrate them as firstly, there’s not enough of them left to “matter” and secondly, to do so would mean spending a month examining the genocide and cultural massacre that was commited to which there is NO modern parallel.

Smarten the fuck up. You too Boodram.

Black people make up around 10% of the population… Shannon shrugs. Nobody here is trying to minimize the hardships that Native Americans underwent and continue to have. All I am saying is that history is important to every culture/ nationality. Not only does it instill a sense of pride in the specified group but it helps others understand the contributions made that may have been overlooked.

When people complain that a particular group does not have a month of historical recognition, then they can look for no one to blame about this other than themselves and people like you who would rather whine then be proactive. Again I am not taking away from the huge obstacles that Natives are faced with.

Anyway your argument C Double is actually way off topic, I suspect that you just wanted to showoff some of the facts you recently read in an article in The Walrus

LMAO@trying to deflect. Nobody brought indigenous people into this conversation other than YOU. You oversimplified (as you do with most of your posts) the reason as to why they dont have a recognized month of history. It’s significantly more advanced than “because they didnt get off their ass to get one.” Your ignorant comment is an insult to the magnitude of hardship that indigenous people have had to endure since colonization.

Off-topic? You made the comment WITHIN your topic, how could it possibly be off-topic? I suspect that you’re having difficulty writing about (and taking accountability for) something other than some 17yr old who let her boyfriend smash early and now has a remarkably uninteresting story to tell about it.

honestly C Double I ain’t got shit to say to you homie other than thanks for the hits happy black history month dude – see you back here tomorrow, because I know that you’ll be here as per usuale

Life is simple: victim is a circumstance not a condition – my history has taught me that. Some of us have more obstacles but all of us humans have the same tools – so build it and stop bitchin or don’t build it and don’t bitch. SIMPLE

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY

“The answer is, because you never got off your ass to start one.” –> I support black history month, but I *have* always kind of wondered why only black people have a month. Love the no-nonsense answer.

Seriously, why do we have holocaust week? Because Jewish people started it. I totally agree: if it’s so important to you, make it happen. Otherwise, quit complaining. Also, FYI, I am Metis and there are still enough First Nations people to start an annual ethnic celebration (even informally) if they really wanted it.

Okay, on to black history month: I’m not black, but I’m going to jump in here too. Most of the people I admire in general are artists, and many of them are black, including Lucille Clifton (awesome poet), Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald (didn’t mean to make that all women… I’ll throw Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers in there too). Okay, Nelson Mandela isn’t an artist, but he’s cool too. I’m sure I’ll think of a bunch more after I hit “submit” but that’s it off the top of my head.

@ C Double: Black history month isn’t black people throwing themselves a pity-party, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the black community. It’s a shame that this always seems to get torn up into an argument over which ethnic group had it worst.

@Boodram, you’re not talking to someone who is Indigenous (although I do work with some writers who are), nor are you talking to someone who has an issue with Black History Month or the lack of an Indigenous one. My issue was with how you oversimplified the circumstances as to WHY they wouldn’t have one. So your ‘pull your bootstraps up and go get em slugger!!!!’ retort is ridiculous.

Congrats on the awesome hits though. Although they mean sweet fuck all without any advertising, I’m sure they serve to at least feed your bloated ego, “homie”

Comparing struggle is an endless circular debate that will never lead to any substantial enlightenment. There’s is no reason appreciating one group’s history has to come at the expense of another’s. And while I can’t clap to C Double’s line of argument, I think I do understand where it is rooted. The “never got off your ass…” line had a slightly antagonistic vibe to it. I doubt that was the intention, but it did raise an eyebrow when I first read it.

But to maybe bring this sub-debate full circle, lets celebrate the FANTASTIC work Michaëlle Jean is doing to bring attention to the hardships facing Canada’s Inuit populations in the far North, and her advocacy to establish a university in Nunavut (a territory which is entirely self-governed by indigenous people). She has done a tremendous job at making a traditionally ceremonial role relevant and worth paying attention to. Her story is uniquely Canadian and a testament to the value of our policies towards immigration and arts funding. And her post-Haitian earthquake press conference was perhaps one of the most emotionally moving federal addresses in our nation’s history. Wonderful can only begin to describe her.

@Shayla, can you point me out the part where I said black history month is a pity party? Thanks.

@Mike, I could give a damn if someone claps for my line of the argument as long as it’s assessed correctly. I didn’t bring up the indigenous, nor did I create the comparison between their experience and blacks. In fact I’m still fucking astounded that someone would have the audacity to even do so.

@Boodram, you’re not talking to someone who is Indigenous (although I do work with a few writers who are), nor are you talking to someone who
has an issue with Black History Month or the lack of an Indigenous one. My issue was with how you oversimplified the circumstances as to WHY they wouldn’t have one. So your ‘pull your bootstraps up and go get em or stop bitchin’ slugger!!!!’ retort is ridiculous.

Congrats on the awesome hits though. Although they mean sweet fuck all without any advertising, I’m sure they serve to at least feed your bloated ego, “homie”

What comes to mind when I say I’m black and I’m proud? Well for one, the fact that I get to live the dream that all my ancestors dreamed of living, and who also helped paved a way for us… Not to start any racial wars or anything, but we have always as a people had to work harder and put forth a little more effort to just be equal and even more to stand out.. especially here in the south…My moms taught me my history at a very early age. I found out very early how different things were for us, which allowed me to adjust, and rise above the system.

And by the way, love the facts up top. I never knew of Mary Ann Shadd and Nam Kiwanuka… Thanks for the quick lesson

Social comments and analytics for this post…

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@ C Double the only hits I’m proud of are the ones you supply. The fact that someone thinks I’m such a dummy but runs here everyday to see what I have to say next is actually flattering. Anyway while you know everything about me, I know nothing about you so I will refrain from engaging in this internet tussle.

Here is the sentence again:
other ethnicities who say, “Well why isn’t there a Native American or Chinese History Month?!?” The answer is, because you never got off your ass to start one.

So if you do not have a qualm with there not being a Native American History Month, than this sentence does not pertain to you. The point I am making is that if you are complaining that your heritage is not being celebrated…CELEBRATE IT. If you have an organized celebration that you feel is going unrecognized, well then that my dear is a valid issue in which great points like the ones you brought up concerning population, oppression and government poisoning would come in to play.

@Mike, Jean is incredible but so was Clarkson. I dunno this women in power thing seems to be working out well for CA jus saying

@Shayla I didn’t know you were Metis, which now makes sense given the story you wrote! Eh you should call me up, let’s talk about your Journey To Get your book published, I believe in you and I think I have some tools/ contacts that may help. HOLLAA!

@Marcus, very well said. I especially like this:
My moms taught me my history at a very early age. I found out very early how different things were for us, which allowed me to adjust, and rise above the system

Someone left this on my Facebook wall yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWA48D4CWxk

I’m curious to know what you think about it

in response to the def poetry vid…

i like his delivery, but i’m not really feelin his message completely. It had some memorable lines.

My fav is prob “Life’s a bitch from the start, that’s why you come out your moms cryin”

I like this but I can’t really relate, nor do I agree with his message. To me his message was: Poor black people in the ghetto are born into a cycle of oppression and that’s why black people in the hood do the stuff they do cuz there’s no other options…yadda yadda…heard it all before, but what I really didn’t like is that he’s basically complacent with where they stand, and doesn’t think they have a chance to be more than what they are now. It’s like he doesn’t expect anything better from his people.

He says. “I Know my future cuz I know my history. My life’s predicted by a gypsy”
To me that screams, nothing is gonna change, and poor black people aren’t going to escape from that cycle. I completely disagree with that line. While history repeats itself to some extent, If you don’t like how things went down in the past, then it’s your responsibility to get off ur ass and make your own history, and make sure the inequities and mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.

I hate when people complain about and blame “The System” for their problems…no…just get off ur ass and fight to make some changes.

” Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” – John Maxwell

If life throws you a pack of shit, use it as manure, and grow some vesgetables.

p.d kudos to how u handled C.Double.

That reminds me of the “Hi Hater Video”
“Thanks for the hits…BITCH” lol
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………./’/…/…./……./¨¯\
……..(‘(…´…´…. ¯~/’…’)
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……….”…\………. _.·´
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I also to didn’t know how to feel about that poem, it kind of felt like “don’t hold me accountable, blame the system.” Though it was well-delivered and I do understand that if you don’t have a strong mind and/or great parenting like Marcus, it is easy to become a product of your environment. Mixed emotions on that one still.

And ya know what I actually don’t mind C Double, for starters I am super confrontational so I enjoy being challenged and sometimes he has valid points.

I just don’t respect masked people who take low blows:
” I suspect that you’re having difficulty writing about (and taking accountability for) something other than some 17yr old who let her boyfriend smash early and now has a remarkably uninteresting story to tell about it.”

– what an absolutely dispicable and just plain unecessarily hurtful low blow.

Maaaan I should be sleeping haha but I really enjoyed this video, its got me thinkin and I had to get in.

What I feel more than anything else is the frustration and anger in his observations and perspective. And though I do not agree with accepting complacency, perhaps one of the most important results of his poem is that we’re all talking about it, thinking and trying to move forward toward positive change, which is what true emcee’s used to encourage no?

So while it may be in a tone we’ve heard before, I think his approach and delivery doing to address the issues and history are great and make the poem all the more impactful.

Peace.

In response to the video –

I agree with Shannon on the poem… I have mixed emotions about the poem.. I can see where he’s coming from and all, because I wasn’t always above the system. I had my share of selling dope and being in gang wars, being poor, and so on and so on… I was in that cycle even though I was warned before hand of what was to come. The cycle being broken solely relies on the person – staying optimistic and raising my family at an early age was enough motivation for me to break the cycle for myself – I believe many are now being sucked and stuck in the cycle either because they’ve given up all hope, they’ve been brainwashed to believe so, or because being a thug selling drugs and blaming the system is a fad. YES, I said it. I know people who’ve done so just to be like their favortie rapper or whoever and I have not the slightest clue of why it is being glorified. I did what I had to do because I had to take care of my family. I’m not proud of it, but it’s done and there’s nothing I can go back now and do about it. But I can say that I broke the cycle for my brothers and sisters already because they know that there is a world of opportunity out there now, and they are all now in high school striving to be more successful than what I have become today, and they still live in the projects though I finally got out of there 4 years ago. Some people just need to have their eyes opened.. sometimes it takes more than just words to do so.

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