According to several celebrities, Black History Month 2010 was met mostly with apathy. During a pivotal period in black history with President Barack Obama in office, and issues such as the health care battle in Congress and high unemployment rates in the U.S., there is much to commemorate and resolve within the black community. Rolling out interviewed several celebrities to get their take on this year’s Black History Month observance.
Rapper Kardinal Offishall said that this year’s celebration left much to be desired. “We didn’t do as much as we have done in past years. It needs rejuvenation so that it’s not something people have to celebrate, but something we want to celebrate because of the value and richness of our culture and heritage,” he said.
L. Londell McMillan, entertainment lawyer to the stars (the Jackson family, Prince) and the executive publisher of The Source magazine, noted, “There’s now a celebrity of activism, but we need to get back to empowerment through activism. We can’t just talk about it and make nice about it — [let’s] really make change about it.”
One celebrity that found a way to take action and promote the meaning of Black History Month was season two “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Camille McDonald. McDonald spent February encouraging inner-city youth through speaking engagements in the South Bronx. “I spoke about self-empowerment, loving their skin color and the message of empowerment as far as beauty and fashion is concerned. I think everyone should take responsibility, especially artists ’cause kids are going to emulate celebrities,” she said.
Singer Estelle echoed the sentiments of many when she said, “It’s every person’s duty to make sure we honor Black History Month and not wait for TV do it.”
It may be time to re-evaluate Black History Month and get back in touch with the true purpose, which is to reflect, celebrate and take action to advance society.
–souleo
