I'm trying something new this year. Each day I am posting a new sticky based on ideas given to me on people to feature. Some days will be events, some people and I am trying to make things as diverse as possible as well.

The sticky will change each day, but the threads will remain open for discussion.

It is my hope that this year will be fun, educational and extremely civil.

If you have an idea for a bio, please orgnote me. I'm working on a calendar.

Thanks!

Good idea ...


There are those that want to know if they must send things to you only or post only on sticky threads or the ones you make

can they create their own threads ?

Mach said:

Sure, why not! I'm just trying to do something a little more organized cause I like it. Any threads are welcome, you know, within the rules.

We need a Slavery Memorial Day of Remembrance.

Graycap23 said:

I agree. I think some day around Juneteenth celebration it should be done.

MuthaFunka said:

Works 4 me. Maybe it should be on the same day as the Emancipation was signed?

Graycap23 said:

Nah. I like Juneteenth better.

We need a Slavery Memorial Day of Remembrance.

Graycap23 said:

Why shut your mouth Gray. Are you kidding me? Some people can hardly accept or think African-Americans in this country deserve a "Black History Month". Now, my friend, you really want to see things go up in arms over a "Slavery Memorial Day of Remembrance?" Many in this country already find it hard talking about or accepting Americas's ugly and known past of slavery or just don't want to remember that it happened at all. You've already seen just a taste of the reaction in the past, in this forum, when articles of America's history of slavery has been mentioned.

All you have to do is search the previous threads in P&R regarding topics on America's history of slavery, and read some of the negative reaction it so frequently received from many here.

So imagine the reaction you'd get for a "Slavery Memorial Day of Remembrance" outside of this forum. How dare you for suggesting that, because I don't ever see such a day like that being dedicated to people who built this country, with no pay, under extreme conditions with chains on their feet, and their blood, sweat and tears, and most who never knew what freedom was like, ever seeing a day like that dedicated to them. The nerve and audacity of you to suggest such a thing.

Don't you know that not even the memory of those slaves' existence means much to some folks that are alive today, who walk on the very grounds of their labor?

Don't you ever make an excellent suggestion like that again. You hear me. Carry on.
[Edited 2/2/09 11:48am]

2elijah said:

lol.....I'm serious.

Graycap23 said:

I know....

2elijah said:

If we can have fake holidays like Valentines day, using the shape of a woman's ass as a heart, we can have a real holiday about a real issue.

Graycap23 said:

Valentine's day is not about the shape of a woman's ass...it's about her "jewels" if you know what I mean.

2elijah said:

I guess it depends on the angle.....

Graycap23 said:

2elijah said:

You 2 are nasty.

2elijah said:

You 2 are nasty.

MuthaFunka said:

Hush your mouth!

We need a Slavery Memorial Day of Remembrance.

Graycap23 said:

This would be heinous.

There is something really wrong and impaired about the mentality of anyone who would support this.

Black children are the only children that learn about their culture almost exclusively from a perspective of having been chattel. They are taught that the substance of their heritage is tied to being oppressed, denied and rejected.

I still marvel that textbooks STILL isolate black heritage by reducing it to slavery and civil rights movement. Imagine the psychological impact of a child coming into the world knowing nothing about their culture and then having this stuffed down their throats by family and school year after year after year as some symbol of "pride." This is how the victim mentality is allowed to flourish. The very identity of black folks is tied to history told from a victim's perspective. Stop and think. Please, people, think.

And now you have an opportunity to fantasize about another holiday for black people and you choose a Slavery Memorial Day. My god. I think many black people only see themselves as an extension of race and racist society. You are more than that you know. You are a human in the universe. YOu are not just your skin and what others want to do to you because of your skin. Blacks must have the vision to perceive of themselves as expanding beyond that.

YOu don't have to be ashamed of the oppressed past but it need not be a point of reference for everything.

This reminds me of the story about some bird that was caged and then when the cage was removed, it still kept acting like it was caged...self-limiting. It really couldn't see beyond imaginary bars.

This is the best black history message I can tender.


People really need to think more deeply. There is too much eagerness to accept the obvious. We must dig deeper.

The obvious: let's celebrate we got a black prez. yay!
The deeper truth: Civil Rights movements all over the world have been anchored on the desire for all human beings to be have rights, respect, and privileges. It's not some race competition to see who wins and loses with every momentous event.


The obvious: Yay. Hip hip hooray for black history month.
The deeper truth: The history of blacks should be integrated into American history -- and please, let's have more than the usual suspects like MLK and Rosa Parks, and now apparently Beyonce and Bernie Mack can be considered important spotlights for black history month. You should see some of the assemblies in some schools. Trifling. Let's just end the farce. . Black history week didn't begin with the intent to stay a separate observation. IT was supposed to be a temporary supplement which urged America to re-envision how it was telling its own history. By continuing to endorse black history as separate, supporters inadvertantly suggest black culture is a fringe culture and of fringe importance.