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7 Questions You Should Never Ask During Black History Month

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 by austine

It’s Black History Month, which means that I’ll spend the next few weeks basking in black pride, learning new things about black figures of the past and present, and dealing with a whole lot of racists on the internet and in real life. Great! No, but really, it’s that last bit that can turn a month of celebration into a month of misery, especially as a black woman.

And before any of you read this and think that you’re not part of the problem, you just might be. Some of the most egregious examples of racism I’ve dealt with during Black History Month aren’t coming from people who are self-described racists who think the KKK was pretty cool. No, it comes from people who would never think they have a racist bone in their body, until they ask a racially insensitive question and get called out for it. Some of the most seemingly innocent questions can be laden in a lot of racist BS and a general lack of understanding about how the world works. Need some examples to help you get through the month without pissing anybody off? Check out these seven questions you should never ask during Black History Month. Instead, receive the answers you’re seeking without making an ass out of yourself. Good luck!

1. “If there can be a Black History Month, why isn’t there a White History Month?”

It’s impossible to accept the answer to this question without realizing the following quick and dirty facts: There’s a history of racism in the United States based on a hierarchy that puts white people at the top, white people aren’t systematically oppressed based on the color of their skin, and there’s a history of black people being oppressed because they’re black. Are we all on the same page? Okay, cool. Black History Month is a way to reflect on the history, continued struggles, and important achievements of black people, something that has been undervalued and often ignored in a country that was literally built on racism and continues to neglect black lives. The accomplishments and history of white people are already at the center of our education–be it in history class or English class–our media, etc. Isn’t a month dedicated to what we already do every day pretty redundant? Plus dedicating a month to whiteness is actually just a month about white supremacy. That would be great from an educational standpoint, but a place of pride? Not a good look.

Want to celebrate pride? There are plenty of months dedicated to groups that are largely white without celebrating whiteness. There’s an Irish History Month in March, Italian History Month in October, and so on. Why celebrate whiteness instead of those things?

2. “Okay, I get why we might have needed Black History Month a long time ago, but why do we still need it now? America elected a black president, racism isn’t such a big deal anymore! It’s outdated.”

Racism still exists. Black people are still disproportionately punished for the same crimes as white people. Black people are still racially profiled thanks to stereotypes. It’s 2016 and black people are still getting ignored by the Academy Awards. Politicians are inciting fear based on race in hopes of winning elections. Unarmed black people are still getting killed by the police on a regular basis because they “look suspicious.” So, tell me, how is racism not a big deal anymore? Why should we ignore black issues?

3. “Doesn’t Black History Month just make racism worse?”

Is Woman’s History Month making the world more sexist? No, and Black History Month isn’t making the world more racist. You know what is making the world more racist? People who are racist.

4. “Black history is a part of American history. Why let this divide us even more?”

First of all, black history isn’t just American history. There were, are, and will always be black people all over the place. But when it comes to black Americans, the fact is that our history is still ignored in most history classes and courses. Most people go through their entire high school experience without even being able to name five iconic black authors. I’m not sure why people think that focusing on a marginalized group’s experiences is divisive, that just doesn’t make sense unless you think that anything that doesn’t focus on white people’s history and experiences is a distraction. Hmmmm…

5. “Haha, why is Black History Month during the shortest month of the year?”

This is actually a fair question that always gets a few laughs, but here’s a quick history lesson for you: Black History Month was originally Negro History Week and it started way back in 1926 thanks to Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland. It just became a month long after it grew in popularity. It’s a coincidence that the week just happened to belong to the shortest month of the year!

6. “Black History Month is boring. Slavery, Civil Rights, Obama, the end. Why dedicate an entire month to that?”

Uh, that’s part of the problem. Not only is black history and black experiences more than just slavery and Martin Luther King Jr., there are also tons of black figures in history that people aren’t even taught about in school! And it’s not just political figures; why don’t people read books from black writers in Literature class? Why don’t people learn about black artists? They do exist. Also, honestly, most schools do an absolutely garbage job of teaching slavery and the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr’s message is watered down to, “be nice to each other” and his radical speeches about white supremacy, poverty, and war are largely ignored. Plenty of schools never even teach you about Malcolm X because he’s seen as too radical. Black women are ignored entirely, aside from Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, who were great, but not the only great black people making history. Black history isn’t boring, you just need to open your eyes.

7. “Black History Month is just for black people. Why force the rest of us to celebrate it?”

Black History Month is a great reason for black people and non-black people to familiarize themselves with black art, music, history, etc. This month is literally for anyone and everyone who wants to learn a lil’ something, so why be opposed to that? Read some James Baldwin and get woke, okay?

Which of these questions gets on your nerves the most? Do you think there are any legit questions to ask during BHM? Tell us in the comments!

Read more: austineentertainment.blogspot.com

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Ibinabo Fiberesima Still In Court Over Death Of Lagos Doctor, As Court Sets Aside Day Of Judgement

From Pm News

An appeal court sitting in Lagos, south west Nigeria has adjourned for judgement the appeal filed by star actress and former beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima challenging the judgement of a Lagos High Court which sentenced her to five years imprisonment for causing the death of a Lagos medical doctor, Giwa Suraj.

The embattled actress was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi for reckless driving which caused the death of one Dr. Giwa Suraj in an auto accident along Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos State. The deceased was a staff of one of Lagos state owned hospitals.

At the hearing of the appeal today, the appellate court presided over by Justice U.I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu (Mrs.) adjourned for judgement in the appeal after counsel adopted their written addresses.

The court also directed that the appellant (Fiberesima) who was not in court should appear in court when judgement is to be delivered, adding that, the date will be communicated to the parties.

Fiberesima had earlier been fined a N100, 000 by an Igbosere Chief Magistrate Mr. O.A. Isaacs but the then Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner of justice, Olasupo Sasore (SAN), felt unsatisfied with the judgement and appealed. This prompted the state government to take its case to the Lagos High Court.

At the Lagos high court, Justice Oluwayemi set aside the option of fine imposed by the Magistrate’s Court and sentenced Fiberesima to five years imprisonment for dangerous and reckless driving.

In her judgment, Justice Oluwayemi held that the trial Magistrate exercised judicial recklessness when he gave the convict an option of fine.

The court held that the option of N100, 000 given to the convict did not serve the purpose of justice in the matter and subsequently ordered that the N100, 000 should be returned back to Ibinabo Fiberesima.

The court noted that the trial magistrate must have misdirected himself based on the plea of leniency made by the counsel to the convict that she is a working mother.

Justice Oluwayemi held that Sections 28 of the Traffic Law on which the accused person was convicted does not give an option of fine stressing that when term of imprisonment is mandatory the court cannot and should not give an option of fine.

The court added that Section 28 of the Road Traffic Law clearly provides that where a reckless and dangerous driving has caused the death of a person, the accused person shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment of seven years.

Dissatisfied with the judgement of the high court, Fiberesima in her amended appellant brief filed by her lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina before the Court of Appeal urged the court to set aside the five year sentence and restore the decision of the Magistrate Court.

Adopting his brief of argument today, Amaechina argued that the Magistrate’s Court exercised its discretion properly and there was no ground to review it by the high court.

He submitted that by virtue of the Notice of Increased in Jurisdiction of Magistrates, No. 7 of 2006, the trial Magistrate could only impose a maximum of 7 years imprisonment or N100, 000.00 fine.

He added that N100, 000.00 fine is the maximum limit the trial Magistrate can impose as fine and that was what it imposed on the appellant.

In her response, counsel to Lagos State, Rotimi Odutola (Mrs.) argued that the law creating the offence of dangerous driving causing death has provided for a term of imprisonment as punishment for anyone convicted under section 28 hence the trial Magistrate ought not to exercise such arbitrary discretion to impose N100.000.00 as fine.

Odutola further submitted that the children of the deceased have been permanently deprived of the ‘’measureless contributions’’ of their father to their lives as a result of his death caused by the appellant.

She urged the court to uphold the judgement of the Lagos High Court and dismiss the appeal.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command had in 2005 charged the ex-beauty queen [Fiberesima] to the magistrate court on a two-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving along Epe Expressway, Lagos which resulted to the death of Dr. Giwa Suraj.

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Annie Idibia Stars In Abbyke Domina 2016 Luxe Lace Collection

Celebrity fashion designer and stylist Abbyke Domina has released photos from her 2016 luxe lace collection featuring the delectable actress Annie Idibia. See more photos after the cut…

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We Can’t Wait To Show Davido To The World- Sony Music

Sony Music has finally spoken about the deal they signed with Davido despite many Nigerians doubting it. Even when his name was listed on Sony Music’s website and we brought it here, some still said anyone could have altered that and insert his name. Anyway, the body has finally confirmed Davido has one of their artists and now says they can’t wait to show him to the world.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ‘Working with incredible talent like Davido heralds a new era for Sony Music Entertainment Africa on the continent. We couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Davido and we are extremely keen to support his vision to succeed at the highest level in our industry,’ Sean Watson, Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa said.

Adam Granite, President, Northern & Eastern Europe and Africa also said;

‘We are thrilled to welcome Davido into the Sony Music family.  We are very much looking forward to bringing one of Africa’s biggest stars to the world. We are also excited to partner with Kamal Ajiboye, Davido’s manager as well as Efe Ogbeni, who will be executive producing the album on our behalf.’

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There was drama on the floor of the Senate when the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio refused to apologise to his colleague, Senator Danjuma Goje over uncomplimentary comments and, what was described as an attack on his integrity and personality.

The drama started on Wednesday when Akpabio accused Senator Goje of not doing enough in his state in the area of infrastructure when he held sway as governor between 2003 and 2011.

Senator Akpabio who took his turn to contribute to the 2016 budget, turned the heat on his colleague when he described the 2016 budget as “uncommon “, but went further to state that, “I want to commend the President for raising capital expenditure to 30 per cent, but for me it is nothing new, it might be new to my Colleague Goje because while as governor he did not place premium on capital expenditure, but for me I was doing between 80 to 83 per cent of my budgets on capital projects and that is why there is massive developments in Akwa Ibom under my leadership.

“If you go to Akwa Ibom, you will see those developments”, he added.

In a swift reaction, Senator Goje raised a point of order, drawing attention of the Senate to what he referred to as, “attack on his image and reputation”, accusing the Senate Minority Leader of deviating from the main issue of budget debate and misrepresentation of his views.

Attempts by Goje for his colleague to either withdraw his comments or apologise were in vain. Some of those present said it’s a joke, others say Akpabio is just a trouble maker.

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