Black History Month

So it's Black History Month and if you know me at all you know I'm not I'm not black or at least I haven't been since I was working on a farm in North Carolina. I was blue black back then. Seriously, like invisible in darkness black. I'm more of a milk to dark chocolate brown these days.In any case, to myself and others I encounter I am black. I love being black too. It's so much more mainstream than those purple's. There's a lot to not like about it I guess, but I wouldn't choose anything else.SO this is the month to celebrate my heritage. Herald our glorious rise as a people from the terrible injustices of the past. One month to commemorate decades of accomplishment and perseverance. One month to raise up the fallen heroes of the past and inspire the heroic leaders of the future. Did anyone else notice that it's the SHORTEST MONTH OF THE YEAR? Damn it! I think "the man" screwed us again. Could we just get some casinos?Well, everyone jumps on board in any case and off we go. Year after year schools cover the exact same list of black heroes. I heard about the same people year after year for thirteen years. I don't mean to diminish the amazing accomplishments of even one of those truly great people, but, FYI there are more than twenty-eight notable black people in the history of this country. That is unless you're getting your information from Senator Joe Bidden (Dude. seriously. Just shut up and stop running for president - your racism is showing. AGAIN!).So many major companies are buying up ad space to speak on what Black History month means to ... um, well - I guess to thier bottom lines. Allstate likes black people so I guess I'll get my car insurance from them! Earlier this month I got an email from a VP at my company regarding how important Black History Month is to my company. I love my paycheck ... I mean ... er, company! But this VP is the second whitest lady on the planet. The only person whiter than her is like, Gwyneth Paltrow (No offense Gwyn, honey - I still think you're great).This all stems from a recent trip to my local Barnes and Noble bookstore. I went with a friend that I really enjoy and it was a great time really. We always have a glorious time.But - while I was there I encountered the not so ambiguous African-American Interest table. I always look and I'm always frustrated by what I see. I demand to know who's in charge of what goes on that table. I hope it's not an actual black person. There were 30 to 40 books on the table and well over 80% of them were 'relationship books'. I don't mean tips on how to get and maintain good relationships. I mean books about doing it. Not even how to books (Doing it for Dummies, Hah!). Books about doing it to a lot of people. Zane's collected works were featured prominantly.I don't mean to downgrade any published authors talent or integrity. I mean - I like doing it at least as much as the next guy, maybe more. I do mean to say that to infer that African American people's "interest" runs predominately to sex, drugs and the "street life" is insulting. Well, at least to me. Where are the books on the Harlem Renaissance? How about any one of the fascinating non-fiction books written by notable black authors such as Denzel Washington, Sidney Poitier or Barack Obama (if you start that 'he isn't really black thing I swear to God...). How about one of the engrossing novels by Walter Mosley or any of the myriad other ethnic authors?I've spoken to a few people about my feelings about the situation I encountered and the response I heard most often was, "You should read one of those books. you might like them." That's not the point. I might. Probably not, but anything's possible. A woman and an ethnic person are running for president so ...My point is this - we won't be more until we aspire to it. Pick up a book intended to do more than titillate. Expand your mind. Explore your past and use it to illuminate all of our futures. Be saturated by truth. Be entertained by rich tapestries woven by "The Black Experience." I love the Alex Cross novels, but let's find a black literary hero that can be embraced by all that comes from the mind of an actual black person. Maybe my next visit to the bookstore will have that section filled with rich examples of the depth and intelligence of MY PEOPLE. There's still a place for doing it I suppose, but it would be nice if it wasn't portrayed as the main interest of a whole race.