Black History Month

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

February is Black History Month as we all know, but do you know how it got started and by whom? The first celebration of Black History was during the second week of February in 1926. Much of the credit for the celebration goes to Dr Carter G. Woodson whose life was devoted to making "the world see the Negro as a participant rather than as a lay figure in history." The timing of the event was planned to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederic Douglass, both of whom had a major impact on the lives of Black Americans. In the course of time, Black History Week became the Black History Month we know today as a four week long celebration of the history, culture and contributions of Black Americans to our society. The week was first expanded to a month in 1976 as part of America's Bicentennial celebration.

After the years of struggle for equality, Black Americans were guaranteed their Civil Rights with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It still took many years for attitudes to change, especially here in the south. I was not that long ago that a Black man was dragged behind a pickup truck and beheaded when he it a culvert in Jasper, Texas, a most shameful event that did not go unpunished. Yet today the Black community is thriving and expanding both in numbers and economic prowess. Some notes from the census bureau:

- As of July 1, 2005, there were an estimated 39.7 million black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.4 percent of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of half a million residents from one year earlier.

- The projected single-race black population of the United States as of July 1, 2050 is 61.4 million. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 15 percent of the nation's total population.

- The estimated black population of New York on July 1, 2004 was 3.5 million, the highest of any state. Four other states had black populations that surpassed 2 million: Florida, Texas, California and Georgia. About 85,900 blacks were added to Florida's population between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004. That is the largest numeric increase of any state in the nation. Georgia and Texas added 61,800 and 45,000, respectively.

- $88.6 billion in revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002, up 24 percent from 1997. The number of black-owned businesses totaled 1.2 million in 2002, up by 45 percent since 1997. Black-owned firms accounted for 5 percent of all non farm businesses in the United States.

- 80% of blacks age 25 and older had at least a high school diploma in 2005. In states such as Colorado, the proportion was even higher - 90 percent. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

- 17% of blacks 25 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2005. In many states, the rate was higher. Twenty-six percent of blacks this age in Colorado, for instance, had this level of education. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

- 1.1 million blacks age 25 and older had an advanced degree in 2005 (e.g., master's, Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.). Ten years earlier - in 1995 - only 677,000 blacks had this level of education.

- For the 2005 school year, 2.3 million black college students were enrolled. This was an increase of roughly 1 million from 15 years earlier.

I think that is quite appropriate for the Super Bowl being played today is in February as for the first time in history, both teams are coached by Black Americans, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith. No matter who wins the game, history has still been made. Both men are dedicated, hard working individuals who deserve the recognition they are receiving. L Z Gunderson, introduced to you in these pages earlier this week, wrote in his column on ESPN's page 2 "Achieving at the highest level" on what it means to have these two men coaching in the world's biggest sporting event. Here is an excerpt: "Why recognize first? Because it measures the progress we've made. It gives us a moment of reflection. In the case of Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, it gives blacks and other disenfranchised groups a visual confirmation that if given the same opportunities, we, too, can achieve on the highest level." I was delighted with the phrase "and other disenfranchised groups". We as Gay Americans can learn a lot from the struggles Black Americans have faced and overcome in our own struggle for Civil Equality. We are a culturally diverse nation, but we are one people united by our love of freedom. One of these days we will attain the dream of Dr. King and America will live up to its creed "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I look forward to the day when no person is more equal than another.

On this historic day, let us celebrate the achievements of men like Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith as well as remember the pioneer's that laid the groundwork for this day. Men and women like Dr.'s Woodson and King, Malcom X., Sidney Poitier, Jackie Robinson, Muhammed Ali, George Washington Carver, Maya Angelou, Lena Horne, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes and Dorothy Dandridge.

In the Nichevo tradition of eye candy to close the post, today I am featuring Black Men for your enjoyment. There is beauty in all cultures, but today belongs to them. Until next time as always, Enjoy!

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