it would be the first Americans themselves: the ones whose children had run through the trees off the coast of Plymouth Rock for generations before any Pilgrim landed there. That discussion could take me down a very deep rabbit hole so let me level out.
My point is that if we are going to create a month long observance for the affect one race has had on American history then we need to do it for all, which doesn’t seem practical. What if we chose, in our history books, to honor any person who makes significant contributions to American culture regardless of their race color or creed. Let’s let the contribution itself be the defining achievement that lands them a place in our history, not the barriers they have overcome.
The real solution to the 1926 problem that Dr.
Woodson was trying to solve can be summed up in the words of the great civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (notice I did label him as an African-American) when, in his address at the March of Washington in 1963, he pragmatically uttered the phrase, “ I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” If we want to see King’s dream realized then we must train the next generation to think differently than we do. The method though, is not teaching them to love and respect others, but it is teaching them to love and respect themselves. For if they love themselves and believe they are deserving of love and justice then it will be easier for them to follow the golden rule and treat others the way they would like to be treated. Black History Month has had a great ride and has been beneficial in bolstering the effort to uncover all the contributions that Americans of every race have had on this country, but if we are serious about equality between all the races and giving equal weight to all their contributions for the greatness of this country, then Black History Month must either be changed to something more inclusive or it has got to go.
Markus Lloyd is the Children’s Minister at Legacy Church in Plano. In his spare time he sings and acts professionally, and serves on the boards of two Plano non-profits, Minnie’s Food Pantry and This Side Up Family Fun Center. Markus lives in Frisco with his wife Lisa and two boys, Markus Jr. (Deuce) and Solomon. Contact Markus at Markustl@
me.com and check out his blog at
http://boutthebox.blogspot.com
Click here to share your opionion on Markus’ article.
Call today to reserve your Private Pump It Up Party! 972-792-9663
www.pumpitupparty.com Pump It Up Jr. of Plano
4101 E. Park Blvd., #135 • Plano, TX 75074
Pump It Up of Dallas 9201 Forest Ln., #100 • Dallas, TX 75243
Plano Star Courier “Peoples Choice Award - Best Pharmacy”
It’s Party Time!!
Come Experience Our Private Parties!
For uninsured or under-insured children. 972.519.8475
Full Service Pharmacy Children’s Immunizations
N.E. Corner of Parker & Independence 2nd Location Opening in March! 5425 W. Spring Creek Pkwy #190 Plano
Click here for more:
www.TexasStarPharmacy.com North Texas Kids • February 2011 •
www.NorthTexasKids.com
9
Good on newly booked parties. Must mention this ad! Offer is good thru 3/31/11.
1 Dozen Balloons Free
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44