Chauncelor Howell| Guest columnist
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Not long ago, I had a conversation with a fellow cigar aficionado who felt the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, was divisive in nature. Moreover, he felt the National Football League had hurt its brand by allowing it to precede the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in 2023.
With my cigar compadre being an Italian American and me of African-American descent, I struggled to fathom why he felt that way. Particularly since the first Italians who fled southern Italy and Sicily around the 1880s for the shores of the United States were classified as immigrants, unlike Black slaves from the Ivory Coast of Africa who were classified as cargo in previous decades.
That served as a perfect segue for us to have a heart-to-heart conversation about Black history.
I pointed out to him that song served as a rallying cry during segregation and civil rights movement in the 1950 and 1960s. I further explained to him during slavery, Black people were forbidden to be taught how to read, for fear of them ascertaining ways to rebel against their slave masters.
Moreover, it was not until 1868 that Black Americans were granted rights of citizenship per mandates of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment. Congress passed the 15th Amendment in 1870 to facilitate a pathway for Black Americans to vote.
Preventative measures such as poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud, and intimidation were used by opponents of the amendment, primarily of southern states, that would continue to prevent Black Americans from voting.
Black history has never been a comfortable conversation to have for most people in private or the public domain. However, civil conversation is necessary to have if we as American citizens wholeheartedly believe in authentic democracy and the aims/ideals of our forefathers.
To understand a person whose worldview and experience differs from your own allows you to gain insight into their plight.
Unfortunately, the way George Floyd perished reopened wounds of the past, which compelled us to revisit injustices that dated back to the burning of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma circa the 1920s, the murder of Emmitt Till, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other forms of social injustices towards Black people.
From the time slaves were imported from the shores of West Africa to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, learning how to assimilate into European norms in some instances became a matter of survival.
Black history is American history, but it has not always been treated as such. Especially here in the state of Florida, where public schools, colleges and universities are forbidden to broach the subject matter of Black history, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or anything remotely close to sensitivity training without retribution from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Put simply, there is no plausible way to share the Black American experience without someone feeling uncomfortable. However, sharing the experience is not designed to make anyone of other races feel as though they are at fault.
That type of sharing is designed to acknowledge that certain events did occur, to educate those who do not have a basic knowledge of the subject matter, and to pay homage to those who, in some instances, sacrificed their lives for the welfare for Black Americans.
The 2024 theme for Black history month is "African Americans and the Arts." Therefore, I encourage you regardless of your race, nationality or sexual preference to participate in a community event, read a book or watch a movie to learn more about the rich history of Black Americans and their contribution(s) to the United States of America.
As a proud African American and veteran, I unconditionally embody the aims, ideals, and ethos of these United States. Furthermore, I know we have the capacity to peacefully overcome our differences.
Put simply, Black history month is not just a “Black thang”; instead it is an opportunity for us to celebrate and explore the contributions of those who made it possible for Black people to be free.
Unfortunately, my cigar pal known amongst our mutual aficionados as “Billy Boy” is no longer with us to read this column and may he rest in peace. Nonetheless, I am most grateful for the time we had together to intelligently discuss sensitive matters where we differed, with a cigar and bourbon.
Mutual civility is still possible and will work if given a chance, even if we agree to disagree.
Chauncelor Howell is a retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran and president of the Treasure Coast Black Chamber of Commerce. He serves as an advisory member on the TCPalm Editorial Board.
