Black History Month

Happy Black History Month which, in my geographical area, happens to be the coldest and darkest (in terms of sunlight) of the year.

Despite lasting a mere 28 days, it's the longest month in the history of North America - every single year. In Montréal, we don't age like folks from elsewhere. As a matter of fact, we actually get younger by two years every summer. But February makes up for it and makes us age two and a half years in 4 little weeks.

I know Black History Month originated in the U.S. as Negro History Week - a way for Carter G. Woodson to get black folks on the path to equality after years of slavery and abuse. It doesn't have the same meaning in Canada, where it's more about us helping black Americans escape their plights, like when Hariett Tubman led hundreds of slaves to freedom (here) using the Underground Railroad.

Another part of our history is John Ware, born a slave in the Carolinas, became a cowboy, and moved (to freedom and prosperity) to Alberta. His funeral was said to be the largest Calgary had ever held at the time.

Which begs the question: why the fuck did the Americans give black people the shortest month of the year? The only possible answer is because it's the shortest month of the year. Which, in and of itself, raises another question: why the fuck did Canadians follow suit rather than give them a real month, not one where all our citizens secretly hope to die 24 hours a day for 28 days in a row?

I mean, fuck: the Brits celebrate their Black History Month in October. Don't we usually follow them into any stupid decision? Or did that impede on Halloween?

Food for thought.

Still... for those who feel concerned, have a great Month. Look up some shit, read other shit, get involved, watch Spike Lee films, pet a black cat, eat Jamaican patties, send money to Haiti, take a break from calling Barack Obama ''Hitler''... anything.