'BOO'-ing Black History Month:
The Big Take Black
by
Min. Paul Scott

I guess I'm darker than the shadow of the darkest alley that they're always scared to come in.   BOO! - Brother J X-Clan

Lookin' at my Rolex (Ok, my Timex) , it's about that time. The time for that piece of 'American hypocrisy in black face' known as Black History Month. Not that Dr. Carter G. Woodson didn't have a good idea with the concept of setting aside a time to recognize Black achievement but like any other good Black idea, white America finds a way to buy it, shine it up and transform it into their "great" idea. What was created to give future generations of Black children hope and inspiration has been transformed by corporate America into a Eurocentric propaganda tool to reinforce in the minds of Black children that they had no history until they were 'discovered' by the white man and even today, they are unable to accomplish anything without his approval, even something as simple as putting on a Black History program.

Notice that the name is "Black" history month, not African American History Month. So the focus should not just be on the achievements of our Black ancestors who were "blessed" to come in contact with those noble, good hearted slave traders who did us backwards Africans a big favor by rescuing us from the lions, tigers and bears (Oh, My!) of Dark Africa. 'Oh, thank you Massa for savin' a wretch like me.' But we must tell our children about the African mothers and fathers of civilization.

Now I don't mean to blow up anybody's spot (for the non-hip that means to put a monkey wrench in the program) because I know that Black History Month is the one time of year when the Black Employee Committee of Hossenpepper Telecommunications Corporation, Inc. can squeeze a few dollars out of the executive tight wads, who treat them like crap the other 11 months of the year , for a 'multi-cultural celebration.'

They usually wind up getting a nonthreatening negro to give an overly, dramatic rendition of the ' I Have a Dream Speech' or the United Negro Choir to sing a hyped up version of ' In that Great Gettin' up Mornin.'

The school system gets into the act, as they usually contaminate their Eurocentric curriculum with a few stories about Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and maybe have students take part in a play about Rosa Parks sitting in the front of a bus. But how would the superintendent of the Pleasant Valley Public School System react if 8th grade history teacher Mr. Smith (formerly known as Bro. Mustafa Zulu in his college days) suddenly lost it and started telling little Tyrone and little Shaniqua that what they tell them in the school's books are a bunch of lies in order to keep them a permanent underclass. 'No my 8th grade Princes and Princesses! You've been HAD, TRICKED, BAMBOOZLED.....'

Another unemployed Brotha on the unemployment line.

The churches also get a piece of the action during February when at least one Sunday out of the month, Pastor Jones throws caution to the wind and...dare I say it...actually allows Black church folks to wear African clothing! Would it be too much to ask that he also would teach the congregation that the people of the Bible were Black and the blue eyed, blond haired white man that the European misnamed 'Jesus' was actually....Yeah, maybe that is a little too much to ask.

The bad thing about Black History Month is despite all the TV commercials telling us to be Black and Proud and all the 'buy one get one free' Black history lunch specials at Captain Jack's Chicken Shack, come March 1st, it's back to business as usual. The chairman of the Black Employee Committee goes back to fixing coffee for Mr. White, Mr. Smith goes back to teaching his students that Christopher Columbus discovered America and Pastor Jones takes off his African robe and puts back on his Brooks Brothers suit. With all the hoopla and money generated during Black History Month, it is strange that nothing lasting ever comes out of the endeavor, no new Black businesses or Black Empowerment organizations. No major pushes to include more Ancient African history in the curriculums of school systems across the country and no attempts to have Black churches teach an Afrikan Liberation Theology.

It is time that we stopped just going through the motions every February and do
something not only for the present generation but for generations to come. In 2005, we must reclaim our culture and reaffirm our right to self-determination.

That is why the Messianic Afrikan Nation is launching the BOO! Black History Month Campaign. (BOO! stands for Black Owned, Operated and Organized.)

We've cheered and clapped for everything that white America has given us in the name of 'blackness' for too long and now it's time for us to start 'BOO'ing some stuff !

Some of the things on our BOO! LIST this February are:

White entertainment corporations that exploit Black culture to make a dollar.

Non Black companies that front like they're Black to get our money. Like the
local African Weave and Waffles Shop that is really owned by Mr. Yamaguchi.

White owned radio stations that pump the worst of Black culture in our ears 24
hours a day.

White magazines that have made a fortune selling Black culture to suburban white kids.

Black empowerment organizations that are financed with white money.

That one black church in every community that still has the 20 foot white
'Jesus' hanging behind the pulpit.

Black companies that gain fame for being 'the voice of the under served
'minority' community and then sell out to white mega-corporations.

Black entertainers that buck dance for white folks for platinum chains and
spinnin' rims..

Feel free to create your own BOO! LIST and pass it on to your family and friends (along with this article, of course.)

So, this February when you happen to walk by a black history program put on by the same corporation that wouldn't even serve Black folks two years ago or when you roll past your favorite corner liquor store with the Mo' Betta Malt Liquor Black History Swim Suit Calendar hanging in the window, just yell out BOO !

Believe me, I 'm sure most folks will know what your yellin' about.

Minister Paul Scott represents the Messianic Afrikan
Nation in Durham NC.
E-mail: minpaulscott
Web Site: http://members.blackplanet.com/THE-MYD