Forward
February is Black History Month. First launched as “Negro History Week,” in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, it was designed to celebrate the distinctive contributions of African Americans (and other peoples of African descent) to the history of the world. Eventually expanded to one month in 1970 by Black students at Kent State University, February was officially designated “Black History Month” in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.
Celebrating Black History month is a necessary corrective to the unfair and untrue narrative still being unfortunately perpetuated in far too many precincts that African Americans (and other peoples of African descent) have ONLY been the victims of white supremacy, institutional racism and social injustice. To the contrary, African Americans (and other peoples of African descent) have been thinkers, authors, creators, architects, dreamers, and builders. And for the next month, eloquent recitals of some of these amazing contributions and achievements will be featured on every platform and broadcast through every medium—as well they should. In light of the barriers that we have faced, It is a tribute to the grace of God and the tenacity of the human spirit that African Americans (and other peoples of African descent) have contributed or achieved anything at all.
But as we celebrate, we should also contemplate. And evaluate. While there is much to celebrate in African American history, there is also much to mourn. I was reminded of that uncomfortable truth earlier this week. As I was rearranging some old books on my bookshelf, I came across the biography of Reginald Lewis.. The biography is entitled “Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun?”, and recounts how Mr. Lewis built TLC Beatrice, first billion dollar business owned by an African American. (Depending on how you count, either Mr. Lewis or Robert Johnson—the founder of BET —was the first black billionaire). As I perused the book, I asked myself “I wonder how many people know his story?” I don’t know the answer to that question, but I am sure that the number isn’t as large as it should be. As I was reminiscing on his journey, I also remembered that I had read a review of the biography in some business magazine. I don’t remember where it was written, or who wrote it. But I do remember what it said. After surveying his life, the review concluded that “it doesn’t seem like Mr.Lewis had much fun.” I will never forget that statement. And the truth is, it doesn’t. His journey was hard, lonely, and required enormous sacrifices. His was a great achievement. But Mr.Lewis also died at 50. His achievements were tremendous. But they also came at a tremendous cost. And the same holds true for many others distinguished contributors and achievers that we will celebrate this month.
Celebrating Black History without reflecting on the cost of making that history is unwise. Not everything in our personal or collective past deserves to be celebrated. Some elements of our past need to be forgotten. And other elements in our past have so damaged us that we need to healed. And still other elements in our past need to be examined to identify how they continue to exercise deleterious effects on our hearts and minds.
The past isn’t always pretty.
When the children of Israel left Egypt after 400 years of slavery, the scripture informs us that the Egyptians decided to pursue them. Egypt represents the past. And the past always pursue us, because the past is possessive. The Egyptians wanted the children of Israel to return to bondage, because the past is punitive. It seeks to penalize and to punish. Exodus 14:10-15 escorts us to the scene:
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
God’s commandment to them is also God’s commandment to us: FORWARD.
We must remember and celebrate our past. But as we celebrate, let us contemplate it. And evaluate it. Let’s look back, but move forward—collectively and personally.
There is still much more history to be made.