Is Enough Being Done to Bring Black History Month Back to Life?

Is Black History Month becoming staid, laid back and predictable? Better yet, is it really needed and why then, is it offered with the shortest month of the year? Perhaps these questions should be answered accordingly, but how can Black History Month reverberate loudest and for the best reasons including these leading questions? Now comes an author and academician of the highest order who has a plan. Meet Ella L.J. Edmondson Bell, Ph D, who asks mankind to use a different, if not unique strategy for women to look beyond immediate cultural Diasporas to foster ideas of new associations against racial institutions. She feels that developing relationships with people of other races and cultures is a start for reciprocal value in effective social intercourse. Moreover, she also advocates watching each others’ backs to gain familiarity and trust. Bell, and authority on career development has a new book out -- Career GPS, with a strong subtitle -- Strategies for Women Navigating the New Corporate Landscape that is making quite a bit or noise despite the state of our economy. In it, she espouses more of the aforementioned for better plans of action to implement viable initiatives. As we celebrate yet, another month devoted to Black History, the author submits a challenge to weave into our consciousness to somehow find a good cause for the spirit of diversity to brighten our futures. After reading and reviewing the book, I’m convinced that this approach is not only needed, but could be the answer to women coming of age for accountability and overall aceptance. Hear what the good Doctor has to say about bringing Black History Month to life:

Bringing Black History Month to Life By Ella L. J. Edmondson Bell, Ph.D, Author of Career GPS: Strategies for Women Navigating the New Corporate Landscape

“It's Black History Month, when we celebrate and honor those African Americans whose enlightening stories, heroic experiences, amazing discoveries and tremendous contributions are an intricate part of our national fabric.In the corporate world, there might be speakers who talk about what it means to be an African-American manager or leader. Your reading group might choose a book written by an African-American writer, like Toni Morrison, Edward P. Jones or President Obama, that illuminates the cultural nuances that shape the black experience in America. Or you might catch a television special examining the life of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Shirley Chisholm or, of course, Martin Luther King Jr. These are the expected kinds of activities that the American public has come to expect every February. Recognizing black heritage is important, but I'd like to suggest a different way of celebrating and appreciating Black History Month. Even as we pay tribute to our ancestors, it's time to take a step forward and incorporate the message and meaning of the month into our day-to-day lives all year long. This is more than just a learning experience, but also a valuable exercise in diversity and inclusion that we can bring into our work lives.

So this Black History Month, take a minute and look at your relationships at work. Think of it this way; ask yourself, "who are your allies?" Webster defines an ally as a person who co-operates with another person; a supporter or comrade. At work, they are the collection of people who help each other. They support you when times are tough and celebrate with you when all's good. Having allies in different parts of the company is essential. If you're preparing a presentation on a new product, your friend in R & D can give you the back story, while your ally in marketing can help make your visuals extra snazzy. Allies in the workplace can be men or women, and it's important to have both. But for women what is critically important -- and often overlooked -- is the importance of female allies. Too often, we don't seek each other out as allies. The situation gets even worse across race and culture lines.

So this month, take a minute to look at your allies. Have you developed relationships with people of other races and cultures? Who are the diverse group of people who are watching your back? And since being an ally is a two-way street, whose back are you watching? Who in your crew is a different color than you? If your posse looks a little monochromatic, there is no better time to reach across the color line and establish truly authentic relationships that move beyond race. If you dare, after you look at your workplace allies, examine your personal life? Who's at your table for dinner? Who do your kids play with? Do all your friends look like you? Are you being a role model for a diverse world?

So go ahead and celebrate history's African-American stars. But at the same time, put a modern spin and real-time meaning on the month by bringing the spirit of diversity out of history and into your every-day life."

Haiti On My Mind

Adam Petrillo, an avid reader of the Miami Herald daily newspaper wrote a timely and poignant op-ed piece that caught my attention. I echo his sentiments relative to how fragile our infrastructure is and how likely when we least expect it can become victims much like the people of Haiti. I'm sharing with you his slant along with my paraphrasing to illustrate a viable point: Lest you forget Katrina, God brings attention to that which are destined for change. The challenges we face as the world fathoms Haiti's lamentations, there's much work to be done. I'm convinced like New Orleans before her, that Haiti will not only rebound but wear her new found success with pride! We're not far removed from this tragedy, which brings me to the gist of this essay -- we're all in this together. We cannot ignore the turmoil, nor turn the other cheek for we are all Haitians. There was a scene in the movie Starman where the alien character, played by Jeff Bridges asks the character played by Karen Allen, "Do you know what I find beautiful about your species?" He pauses for a pregnant moment and tells her, "You are at your best when things are worst." This is how I feel now, and how I also feel that others should be as we endeavor to do our individual and collective parts to help this embattled nation.

As the horrific state of affairs continue to plague Haiti, we must continue to remind ourselves that we are all just one disaster away form being Haitians and do everything possible to help our brothers and sisters in their time of need. The 9-11 fiasco is a further reminder of how chaos can grip us and affect our fragile psyches. We never know when terrorists will strike. The frailty of human life transcends race, creed, color or nationality. I had the honor of working in Haiti, and even at one time was married to a proud and ambitious Haiti woman who bore me a loving son. I'm extricably tied to that country in more ways than one. I live in the 'Little Haiti' section of Miami and being among the people further galvanize my love for their culture. Their spirit is indomitable and their propensity to share with others and show kindness and love to strangers is almost boundless. Needless to say it aches my heart to see the destruction and maladies of a people struggling to eke out a living.

Even if you have never met a Haitian or know little of the country or culture, remind yourself that as God's children, "we are all Haitians." There is a popular expression in Creole -- Dieu donne, which literally means 'God gives'. I will continually ask all able-bodied Americans, especially those that look like me to do God's bidding and give any way you can. The silver lining is that the world has a chance to make Haiti right and turn the tables on America's racist Immigration policy toward a positive gain for people of color looking for a new lease on life. It must be rebuilt correctly -- and it can be done only if we all pull together and do all that we can to help because to sit by idly and not care, is a sure epithet to misfortune that may be yours someday!