Black History Month

By James Neusom

This is Black History month and everywhere you look the national media is recognizing our accomplishments and contributions to this great country.  One thing the current election season has brought to the forefront is the generational divide between Black folk in America.  Most of us from the Baby Boomer generation never thought we would live to see a Black President, and most Blacks under 20 think...Why Not?

They don't understand our amazement with the current national support for Barack Obama, because they do not know the stories of their parents, grandparents and forefathers here in America.  Don't get me wrong.   They know about Malcolm, Martin, and the other Black iconic leaders and inventors. But they don't know about the foot soldiers and the day to day struggles that unite us as a people...a people descendent from American slaves. They don't remember that within this generation’s life time, we had to fight to achieve the freedoms and privileges they so casually take for granted.

We as the torch bearers of Black history must take the time to tell our children about what grandma had to do to hold the family together, how uncle Jack stood up to the police in 65, why cousin Joe had to leave Alabama, why Black people were so universally poor.  Black history is not just about leaders, it's about the trials and tribulations of a people. Blacks in America have a unique heritage, most of it handed down verbally. You need to talk with your parents and grandparents, and find out YOUR Black history, not just what they teach you in school, or what the media shows on TV once a year.

For comments or suggestions please contact us at the following;

Jim Neusom
Executive Director/Publisher
InterServe Networks/City Lights Software, Inc.
www.citylightssoftware.com
www.freshfaces2u.com
www.myspace.com/jimneusom
www.myspace.com/freshfaces2u