Why Black History Month is in February

This is a question that I'm sure some think about come this time of year. Of course, the general consensus is because it is the shortest month of the year. Though this makes since, I have yet to find true evidence from credible sources backing this assumption. However, after having a conversation with one of my friends about this matter, we came to a conclusion that not only is Black History Month celebrated in February because it is the shortest month, but because it also has other occasions that take away from learning and appreciating Black achievement.

Distraction #1 Super Bowl - Every since the league gave teams two weeks to prepare for the Super Bowl, most of the games have been played in the first couple of days of February. Though this game only takes away a few days of Black History celebration, the problem lies in the commercials. The Super Bowl is a great platform for airing a commercial or 4 on Black History yet you rarely see one commercial that does so. Why?
Distraction #2 Valentines Day - The first half of the month is usually spent by people making or finding something to give their significant other for this day. This one day potentially overshadows two whole weeks of learning, realizing, and/or appreciating African-American achievement.
Distraction #3 Presidents Day - If you can recall your younger days in school, it was around this time that you were learning about the Presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson...) and/or getting ready to perform a play about them. So this day took up another week that could have been used for celebrating Black achievement.

This leaves you with one week left in February. Ironically, Black History Month started out as Negro History Week...guess now you know why!

Seems like year after year this month goes by without any celebration or recognition of African-American achievement. A solution is to make people aware of this and do something about it. Bring up facts to co-workers, classmates, family members or anyone else you might have a casual conversation. "They're" only giving us [African-Americans] 28/29 days to celebrate so lets make the most of it and spread the knowledge so that it doesn't go to waste. Learn about a black achievement that occurred each and every day this month. Black History...365!

"I Make Black History Everyday, I don't Need a Month!" - K. West

Noose on Cover of Magazine

What is the US coming too? As Martin Luther King, Jr Day approaches, a golf magazine has decided to celebrate it by posting a noose on the cover of its' magazine. YES A NOOSE! This appalling image has to deal with the Kelly Tilgham comment she made about Tiger Woods (said the only way to beat Tiger is to "lynch him [Tiger Woods] in a back alley") and is an effort by the editor to bring attention to the lack of diversity in golf (Read the article).


I applaud the magazine (Golfweek) for discussing the issue, but putting a noose on the cover of your magazine to "draw attention" to this issue is highly offensive and shows a lack of creativity, critical thinking and diversity amongst the staff. My question: If it wasn't OK for Tilgham to make that comment about the noose, what make you think it's OK to put that image on your cover? I like how they make the effort to discuss the lack of diversity in golf, but the image of a noose on the cover only shows ignorance on Golfweek's behalf and instead of promoting "intellectual dialogue," it increases controversy and anger towards the subject and the magazine from people of many different races.

Happy Martin Luther King Day