It's February: Black History Month. Next month we will move to Women's History Month. Why are these these race- and gender-specific months recognized by our government and our University? Theoretically, the months have been established to promote equality in the study of history. How do you have equality in the study of history, and do these months really promote it?
Equality in the study of history could mean that every race and gender receives equal time in history classrooms. Or, it could mean that important historical figures are studied equally, regardless of their race. Either way, these months move us further from true equality.
First of all, isn't it insulting that black history month is February? Does black history compose so little of our national history that it deserves only 29 days out of 366 days (in a leap year).
Secondly, more than 50 percent of Americans are women. Shouldn't women's history get more than 8 percent of the calendar? If the government plans to separate the calendar according to race and gender, they need to do a much better job.
Separating history into months depending on race and gender is racist and sexist. The segregation of history is as harmful as the segregation of people. But though "separate but equal" has been viewed as unconstitutional and impossible since Brown v. the Board of Education, the philosophy behind it is still common. By establishing these months, the government encourages a culture that instills in citizens the view not of racial superiority, but of racial separation. The government encourages racism and sexism by classifying history and historical figures according to their race and gender. But America's history is not a history of many nations learning to tolerate each other and coexist peacefully - it is a history of many unique individuals coming together as a united nation. In a country that prides itself on multiculturalism, true equality comes through integration of people and history.
There was once a justification for these months, in a time when historical minorities and women were ignored. Today, however, the divisive months do more harm than good. We can't dice history up into little pieces and have it make sense.
Let's study the history of Americans equally. Across time and race, through wars and peace, tragedies and victories, it is the history of one people. We shouldn't have to take sides. We shouldn't segregate it. Sheridan is a Plan II and political communications sophomore.
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