Dr. Ben Carson published a touching op-ed on Fox News Friday, saying it’s wrong to assume that Black history “must only involve Black Americans.”
“Every moment of greatness in our history belongs to all Americans, because the fruits of those triumphs have blessed all of us. This applies to Washington crossing the Delaware, to the Constitutional Convention, and other events not typically acknowledged as Black history; these all belong to the Black story as well,” writes Carson.
“At the same time, there are both triumphs and tragedies that have been specific to the Black experience. The beautiful resistance against government tyranny that occurred at the Boston Tea Party was largely spurred by the killing of Black U.S. Army soldier Crispus Attucks by the British. Gospel, jazz and blues are beautiful, world unique musical forms that were born out of the Black experience in America. Let us celebrate those and other such triumphs during this month,” adds the former senior White House official.
“Yet, there are also tragedies that affect the Black population more than other groups. The crime rate is significantly higher, as is the prevalence of fatherless homes, sexually transmitted diseases, and discipline issues at school,” he concludes. “The occasion of Black History Month should be used to move past such rhetoric and agendas, and make progress on uplifting lives.”
Read his full op-ed here.