Black history is American history

The month of February has become known as Black History month — the brainchild of this observance was first noted by historian Carter G. Woodson.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has designated the month of February as Black History Month. Canada and the United Kingdom have followed suit.

But there remain other comments to consider. In a 2006, 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace, one of my favorite actors, Morgan Freeman, who won an Oscar for his role in Clint Eastwood’s film Million Dollar Baby, offered a different take on this designated month.

Wallace said to Freeman — “Black History month, you find?" and suggested Morgan complete this thought.

Freeman finished that line with this answer:

“Ridiculous ... You’re gonna relegate my history to a month? ... Which month is White History Month? ... which month is Jewish History Month? ... I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history," suggested Freeman.

Regardless of the position you favor, either those for a specific month or others, like Morgan Freeman, who look at the totality of American history, one has to believe that there are many special people in our walk that should be recognized for their contributions.

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The other morning, I was awakened early, and I went to look for an old movie on the Turner classic channel. And there was the story of Jackie Robinson and the many hardships he endured as the first black baseball player in America.

The movie, for sure, will make one reflect both on race and history.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field for his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Can you begin to imagine what Robinson must have experienced as the single first Black man to play in baseball’s major leagues with all white players?

A story like no other, I’m thinking, back then filled with racial animosities, conflicts, trials and a victory for Robinson, who opened the door for other great players like Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks and many more.

There are also many success stories for different individual accomplishments like Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Barack Obama, Colin Powell, etc.

While some choose to celebrate those contributions and accomplishments in the month of February, I think Freeman’s suggestion is that these individuals are deserving celebration as part of all American history.

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As for me, I have learned to appreciate that history and trials of many Americans, including the American Indian, those slaves under bondage, the confined Japanese Americans placed in prison camps during World War II and those Jews attempting to escape from the pending Holocaust in 1939 who had their European ship turned away from American shores.

A prejudice, or preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, is a cloak worn by many people today who have not yet learned those important lessons from past history and a dream of cooperation.

I, too, have a special place in my heart for many local community individuals who came to the Maryland Correctional Institution years back to help celebrate Black History Month and to offer some hope and encouragement to those individuals who made up a large percentage of the prison population.

Princeton Young was my assistant warden back then and took a keen interest in the plight of the criminal element, including all races. He was a good role model for his race.

He was very proactive in trying to provoke changes in an individual’s behavior so one might return to society with some skills, education and improved behaviors to avoid future incarcerations.

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Other nearby community members like Grace Snively, Dolores Harmon, Charles and Marquerite Doleman, and William "Bill" Mason, the first Black police officer in Washington County, and others came to support the self-help programs as volunteers at our prison.

I considered each one of the above as heroes to their respective race.

Also, an ‘Alternatives to Violence Program’ was implemented to help promote behavioral changes to assist those prisoners in returning to society as productive members.

Additional volunteers like Emma Lou Davis-Comstock, Marjorie Grumbacher, Bob Dean, Pat Buckley, Henry Kotun, Lori Byler, Jess Kagle and a multitude of others came to help support our mission in making prisoners better citizens and adults upon release.

There are many American heroes to be remembered.

Jesse Jackson once shared, “Our nation is a rainbow — red, yellow, brown, black and white — and we’re all precious in God’s sight.”

And perhaps that old wise adage — “Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color” — might best serve all of us in this life.

May you find some peace and love in every month.

Pete Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald-Mail.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Black history is American history