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February is Black History Month...

I think the largest misconception of the majority population is that something special is being given to a select group of people. The core truth is that education is what it's really all about. It's remedial history to rectify omissions from American History. My opinions usually clash with those with more conservative views and I don't expect anything different here. Personally, I don't care to complain or whine because I'm aware that despite all things considered that I have been blessed and for the most part am quite proud to be an American who happens to be categorized as African American. I wouldn't have it any other way.

One thing that makes America great is its ability to pursue justice perpetually and to right the wrongs of the past. Our democracy is an experiment that is less than 250 years old patterned much after the ancient Greek democracy developed by wise men and scholars of a different era. Ours remains a work in progress with endless potential for further greatness. We cannot deny several episodes of ugliness in our history that did include a race of people that did not arrive here for anything having to do with freedom but quite the opposite.The premise of this deprivation of basic human rights eventually led to a bitter division of the Union that resulted in the greatest bloodshed ever on American soil and still has political impact to this very day. It wasn't about black and white but was about wrong and right.

I find it interesting that the conventional wisdom of the South is that most white people hate black people when 80% of my patients are white. For the vast majority of cases I find that it seems to make no difference at all what my ethnicity is. Racism seems to be a non issue when people are in pain or suffering. It has been said that we all bleed red regardless of our race. I think this is profound because there was a time in my lifetime when it was inconceivable by both whites and blacks that a practice like the one I have could exist. I celebrate Dr. King Day every year by just going to work and remembering excerpts from his many speeches. I know that this is what Dr. King would want me to do based on his character and purpose. In his last speech he spoke of wanting a short simple funeral with minimal fanfare and for it to be mentioned that he was a drum major for justice and that he tried to love somebody. I respect Dr. King because he was above petty ideology and his mission was greater than race. That is why killing him could not stop his dream from continuing to take root. Regardless of what his critics say, I know that he was not a communist anymore than I am a communist. I'm glad that he lived because his life helps me to know who I am and what I stand for.

Dr. King wanted us to be an educated nation so that we would not continue to repeat mistakes of the past. He patterned his protests and marches after Gandhi who successfully led his people to freedom in India through non-violent civil disobedience and appealing to the consciences of the oppressor. Many have fought for King's birthday to be a national holiday which has helped to spread what he was really about. His desire was that all men of every race get along as brothers in a society with equal opportunity for all. The Civil War had barely been over for 100 years at the time King was assassinated. If that fact is taken into consideration it becomes clear that overall progress has been significant for American Society, though many will still see the glass as half empty.

There will come a day when Black History Month will no longer be considered necessary but that day is not in sight. I have heard critics state that there should be no ethnicity attached to the word American, such as African, Chinese, Latino, etc.. That would be beautiful but at this time not practical. I can only speak for African American. I know for a fact that I have and do receive special treatment when people know that I am a doctor. When I roll in cognito I am rapidly reminded of how I am perceived by the majority. Sometimes I will go into a resturant alone where usually I will get the low waitress or waiter on the totem pole. I always leave them a big fat tip to send a message. The last car I purchased was transacted with the newest and youngest salesman who came and talked to me as I was overlooked by the more experienced salesmen. It felt good driving the car off the showroom floor, something I had never done before. When such opportunities come my way, I usually think of those less fortunate and who may never have a taste of the American Dream.

I suppose my main point about Black History Month is that it is still so important because it can clarify the history of the Black American so that we will not be looked at as far less than what we really are. Most African Americans just want the stereotypes to come to an end. This can only become a reality when all Americans of all races become knowledgeable about the true facts of our history and heritage. The original purpose of this special month also includes Blacks learning to love themselves and each other where necessary and providing an opportunity for Whites and others to overcome the stereotypes mostly perpetuated by the mass media. The vast majority of Black people are good and decent folks. Despite that fact, I believe that if an alien from another world studied our society using the American media as the only source of information, that alien would probably come to a much different conclusion. Well, the secret is out. We celebrate Black History Month because we know the planet is being observed by space aliens and it has been determined that we must provide fair and balanced representation.

P.S. Just in case someone doesn't get it. That last line was suppose to be a joke.