Missed Opportunity & Black History Month
Updated: May 26, 2022
In 1926, African American historian Carter G. Woodson created the Negro History Week with the intent to extend the public's study of black history.
For years, February has been the month to revisit America's history that showcased the plight and contribution of blacks. Unfortunately, American culture has evolved to the point where many people are still on the wrong side of purpose, which keeps them on the wrong side of history.
Instead of Black History Month being a catalyst for improving race relations, February has been reduced to an educational experience without helping our diverse culture develop meaningful contact for real brotherhood.
Seizing the Opportunity
Real brotherhood is deeper than skin! Top UK psychologist Dr. Bianna Kandola states, "Establishing meaningful contact with other groups is the most effective way of reducing prejudice...".
As we approach another Black History Month, it is imperative that we walk away with a different perspective. We can no longer remain content with an education on the plight and contribution of blacks without seizing the opportunity to improve race relations through meaningful contact.
After the 2020 events of George Floyd and the great political divide, our country is in desperate need for solutions that lead to healthy relationships.
If we fail to master new skills for making meaningful contact in race relations, we will experience an epic fail in building an appreciation for black history.
The Future of Race Relations
To improve the possibility for healthy relationships in the future, we must remember this important thought.
The degree of success in the future is dependent on the degree of purpose in the present, and history reveals our degree of purpose in the past.
When we examine Black History through the lens of purpose, we can conclude that the degree of purpose towards blacks has been extremely low.
From slavery, voting rights, to systemic racism, America has delayed the degree of success for blacks. Unfortunately, when race relations is influenced by a low degree of purpose, the risk will be high for unconscious biases to influence soft-skills like:
Communications
Critical Thinking
Collaboration
Decision-making
Leadership
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Instead of Black History Month optimizing our effort to increase the degree of purpose for the present, it reminds us of the work that needs to be done due to the lack of insight to activate skills for repurposing soft-skills.
The future of race relations takes into consideration that the risk will remain high for propagating liabilities that undermines our ability to improve soft-skills. If healthy relationships is the goal for the future, we must transform the present into an opportunity to master skills for meaningful contact.
The Right Side of History
When we master skills for meaningful contact, we will create attitudes and behaviors to be on the right side of history. However, when we neglect skills for meaningful contact, we remain on the wrong side of purpose, which keeps us chained to the wrong side of history.
As long as we are on the wrong side of purpose, we will miss opportunities for creating narratives for real brotherhood. However, when Black History Month becomes a reminder to put us on the right side of purpose, the opportunity for real brotherhood will become a reality.
Click Here to enroll in our Excellence in Race Relations course and master skills to put you and your organization on the right side of history.