The paradox that is Black History Month

I've never really understood Black History Month. I understand why it's important to commemorate and remember an important part of our history, but my problem is that we look at it as specifically "black" history. Now before you make any judgements about what type of person I am, let me explain my rationale.

Black History Month [BHM] began as a way to remember and commemorate the accomplishments of African-Americans, and I agree that it's important to appreciate the contributions to society of not only African-Americans, but from all different races and nationalities. However, the notion that we accept these contributions as moments in black history, completely contradicts what BHM is trying to accomplish; shouldn't we just accept it as history? Isn't a "black" accomplishment a human accomplishment?

I've had this belief for some time, and I've often wondered if anyone else had a similar opinion. Then I saw an interview with Morgan Freeman on 60 Minutes. Freeman was asked what he thought of BHM, and essentially he said he didn't like it.

"I don't want a Black History Month," said Freeman. "Black history is American history."

Freeman was then asked what we should do about racism. He said the first thing to do is to not talk about it. "I am going to stop calling you a white man, and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," said Freeman.

Before I go on, I'm not saying that Morgan Freeman is the voice of advocacy for the African-American population, but what he's saying makes sense – I'm not defined by my colour. I'm a man. Isn't that what we all are, men and women? Or better yet, people?

When people say things like, "Did you know that _______ was discovered by a black man?" it takes away from the merit of the achievement and makes it sound as if it should be a surprise. It comes across as sounding like, "Did you know that _______ was discovered by a black man?"

It seems that every February I have to hear that peanut butter was discovered by a black man, or a similar example, but honestly, I couldn't care less. It's not that I don't care about the accomplishment – because I do,  I love peanut butter. What I'm saying is that I don't care if he was black, white, yellow, brown or blue, his accomplishment is just that, an accomplishment, and race in matters such as that should be completely inconsequential.

Also, why is it we only hear about these achievements in February? Usually, when there's an anniversary of an event or an important date in history, we recognize and celebrate it on the day it happened (or relatively close to the date that it happened). On Canada Day we might think, "Wow, Canada was formed all those years ago today," but recognizing moments in African-American history only in February not only seems rather limiting, but quite offensive as well.

BHM almost seems to have become a ritual we go through each year. It may come across as insincere; as if it's a duty every February. But still, BHM continues to be celebrated, informing others about the accomplishments of African-Americans.

However, people need to realize that BHM needs to accomplish this because for the most part, great moments in African-American history still go untold. BHM exists today because of the ignorance and intolerance of the general public. If racial prejudice ceased to exist, and everybody accepted everyone else, BHM would not be necessary.

The fact is that the accomplishments of all, no matter their significance, should be measured by their sheer worth and by their own virtue. That's it. There shouldn't be any other variables.

We are all people, and before we learn to accept that, we will never truly reach the true potential of unified human development.