Morgan Freeman Condems Black History Month on '60 Minutes' [Archive] - HP Deals, Computer Coupons And Bargains

nickel

12-19-2005, 08:21 AM

anyone see this interview last night?

Television often celebrates black history month with his films, but Morgan Freeman thinks the whole idea of a month for black history is "ridiculous." The African American actor tells Mike Wallace he is against a special month because it separates black history from American history and is part of a labeling process that abets racism.

"You're going to relegate my history to a month,?" Freeman asks Wallace in their discussion of black history month. After noting there is no "white history month," he says, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."

The notion of a special month for black history may be hurting rather than helping efforts for racial equality, believes Freeman. When Wallace wonders that without black history month, racism may be harder to stop and asks, "How are we going to get rid of racism?" Freeman retorts, "Stop talking about it!"

Freeman believes the labels "black" and "white" are an obstacle to beating racism. "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," he says. "I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman. You wouldn't say, 'Well, I know this white guy named Mike Wallace.' You know what I'm saying?" Freeman asks Wallace.

Freeman, who won his first Oscar for the supporting role he played in Million Dollar Baby last year, also discusses his acting career and his several Academy Award nominations, his love of sailing, and his more recent hobby, piloting a plane.

http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/th/Morgan%20Freeman-4.jpg

"60 Minutes" profiles the Oscar winner on Sunday, Dec. 18, (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS.
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2005/12/16/morgan_freeman_condems_black_history_mon

i've always liked/respected Morgan. i mean, after all, he is God. ;) (if you've watched "Bruce Almighty" you'll get that)

seriously, he does make some good points. of course, there may be other views on this. i'd like to hear them too.

kgsilvas

12-19-2005, 08:31 AM

I agree wholeheartedly.

Especially with: "Freeman believes the labels "black" and "white" are an obstacle to beating racism. "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," he says. "I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman. You wouldn't say, 'Well, I know this white guy named Mike Wallace.' You know what I'm saying?" Freeman asks Wallace.

johnnymk

12-19-2005, 09:14 AM

Great in theory, but in reality: I doubt it.

Kevster

12-19-2005, 10:21 AM

I watched that interview a couple times (thanks ReplayTV!) and it was thought-provoking to say the least. I very much agree with him on this but to get people to start doing it will take a generation.

InfiniteNothing

12-19-2005, 10:25 AM

Who cares what a celebrity thinks?

attgig

12-19-2005, 10:27 AM

definitely thought provoking, but i'm not 100% with him. seems very good theoretically, but just because you don't talk about it...doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. I believe there needs to be open dialog about things that are going on under the surface that leads to racism. if you just pretend that the problem exists, it doesn't mean it'll go away by itself. there are real racial problems that need to be hashed out, and sometimes that means bringing special attention to those in the minority.

LegendKiller

12-19-2005, 10:28 AM

Where's Kanye, I think he might want to say something regarding Morgan Freeman.

jstreet

12-19-2005, 10:50 AM

It seems like a chicken or the egg argument to me. In my experience, the reason white people say "that black guy" and black people say "that white guy" is because the named person is in the minority of the group, so skin color is a better descriptor than, say hair color, height, weight.

If a group of people were completely mixed in race, race wouldn't be a unique characteristic within the group, and some other unique characteristic would be used.

I guess my argument is that if we end racism, we'll end the majority of black/white label usage; but I can't see people forcing themselves to ignore the obvious label, choosing a different label, and somehow ending racism in that process.

IrishSS

12-19-2005, 10:56 AM

There are not enough :stupid: smilies to confer how much I agree with Mr. Freeman. Since early middle school I've been saying there shouldn't be a Black History month. It's not because I'm racisit or don't think we need to bring more awareness to certain things... it's just as MF put it. It's all American History, why seperate it out? Why only highlight it one month of the year?

Cubsfan

12-19-2005, 11:04 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

History books had barely started covering black history when the tradition of Black History Month was started. At that point, most representation of blacks in history books was only in reference to the low social position they held.
Makes sense why it was started, but I think that at this point we could pretty safely eliminate Black History Month.

Grimm

12-19-2005, 11:36 AM

Black History Month had its value in the past. It made some inequalitys apparent and has allowed them to be corrected. Just as Segregation highlighted the vast differences in equality and made people aware of just how prejudice they were. Segregation's time came and went, now it's time for Black History Month to go.
In some cases these things are like a starter in an automobile. They are great for getting the process moving, but need to be discontinued after things are started.

Many actors use their fame to push their political agendas. Very few are worth listening to. But those few are educated thinkers who are able to provide intelegent, well thought out arguments on their positions. Morgan Freeman might be one of the few thinkers who also happen to be celebrities.

nickel

12-19-2005, 12:14 PM

Many actors use their fame to push their political agendas. Very few are worth listening to. But those few are educated thinkers who are able to provide intelegent, well thought out arguments on their positions. Morgan Freeman might be one of the few thinkers who also happen to be celebrities.
i think you answered InfiniteNothing's question, and quite well.

ShawnLee

12-19-2005, 12:33 PM

ialsohaveadream

12-19-2005, 06:58 PM

It seems like a chicken or the egg argument to me. In my experience, the reason white people say "that black guy" and black people say "that white guy" is because the named person is in the minority of the group, so skin color is a better descriptor than, say hair color, height, weight.

:stupid: When I'm trying to describe someone, should I leave their race out? Why not also leave out their gender or their hair color? Silly.

I think talking about race openly is what helps end racism. I had a racist friend in high school who heard the Chris Rock "I hate *******" bit, and somehow that's what finally opened his eyes to the fact that black people hate crime and criminals just as much as us crackas do.

molecularfire

12-19-2005, 07:59 PM

Who cares what a celebrity thinks?
I do when I agree with them. I've said things like this in the past and have occasionally been labelled a racist for it. Does racism still exist, yes. Are there programs that are good for helping to promote the progression of african americans in the U.S? yes. Does black history month count as that, IMO no.

DarkFury

12-19-2005, 11:39 PM

Where's Kanye, I think he might want to say something regarding Morgan Freeman.
Nope... I don't think Kanye would have a response to that... because it rings as true.

Honestly, if the history books in schools had been written to reflect ALL of American History, then Morgan is right... we wouldn't need a "special month" to reflect on it.

Much of American History was built with Black History as one of its components... however kids generally aren't taught much of those parts unless they take special "Black History" courses to that effect.

However, until those history books are re-written to include it... then I still see the need for the recognition. Gotta have one or the other. (not saying that the Month is preferable...)

nickel

12-20-2005, 04:43 AM

Nope... I don't think Kanye would have a response to that... because it rings as true.

Honestly, if the history books in schools had been written to reflect ALL of American History, then Morgan is right... we wouldn't need a "special month" to reflect on it.

Much of American History was built with Black History as one of its components... however kids generally aren't taught much of those parts unless they take special "Black History" courses to that effect.

However, until those history books are re-written to include it... then I still see the need for the recognition. Gotta have one or the other. (not saying that the Month is preferable...)
have you read a public school history book lately?

jstreet

12-20-2005, 06:01 AM

have you read a public school history book lately?This is begging for a pol forum-worthy comment about ID but I'll stop myself out of respect for the fact we're in OT :D

Itsme

12-20-2005, 06:17 AM

Interesting discussion, and you could say just about the same thing for Hispanic Heritage Month, and whatever other "months" have been designated.

DarkFury

12-20-2005, 09:39 PM

have you read a public school history book lately?
Are you saying that they have changed since I was in school...

If so, then show us what you got.

Yossarian

12-21-2005, 07:03 AM

have you read a public school history book lately?

yes, 5 different ones. they all had about a chapter o n the civil war, with a section on slavery and the struggles blacks had to go through after they were freed.

and during the chapter dealing with vietnam, the race issues get thrown in as an after thought.

nickel

12-21-2005, 07:57 AM

Are you saying that they have changed since I was in school...

If so, then show us what you got.
i have made no claim.
i just wondered if you are aware of history books changing at all to include more black history since you were in school.

DarkFury

12-21-2005, 08:02 AM

nickel

12-21-2005, 08:38 AM

I just asked my 15 year old nephew (I'm currently in Florida on vacation) who is currently in the 10th grade...

He goes to a predominantly White high school and says that the only thing his history books say about Blacks is referring to Slavery and none of the other contributions of Blacks towards "American History" are reflected in their teaching.

That would seem that the "history books" haven't changed much since I was in school.... :hmm: Thus, I stick to what I said earlier about the school books.
yeh, less "Black History Month" and more black history in history books. i think black history deserves more time than 30 days/yr as Morgan has said.

i do think though that more than black slavery is mentioned. i remember reading about George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, and Rosa Parks very specifically. (not saying that is all there is to black history)

i need to get ahold of what the HS has for history books in my locale and read it myself.

does your nephew have his book home by any chance?

edit: you know they do cover a lot more black history in college, but it does need to be at k-12 too.
i think we are moving in that direction DF. i still bet there is more taught now than when you were in school.

Prisoner 24601

12-21-2005, 09:09 AM

Something is for sure, he is a great narrator and talks really well about Penguins!!

Cheesypuff

12-21-2005, 03:26 PM

and penguins are black AND white!!!!

MikeD

12-21-2005, 03:47 PM

He goes to a predominantly White high school and says that the only thing his history books say about Blacks is referring to Slavery and none of the other contributions of Blacks towards "American History" are reflected in their teaching.

The curriculum for the school should be set by the state; the fact that he goes to a "predominantly white high school" does not matter. Why should that be a factor here? Does he go to private school?

I'll check with my two brother-in-laws, who are in 10th and 12th grade, to see what their texts cover. I would be more than surprised if all that was covered (in the context of black history) is slavery.

ialsohaveadream

12-21-2005, 04:23 PM

i do think though that more than black slavery is mentioned. i remember reading about George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, and Rosa Parks very specifically. (not saying that is all there is to black history)
Yeah, you remember when you learned about them? During Black History Month. ;)

Actually, King and Parks usually get taught outside of that month at least.

DarkFury

12-21-2005, 06:03 PM

The curriculum for the school should be set by the state; the fact that he goes to a "predominantly white high school" does not matter. Why should that be a factor here? Does he go to private school?

I'll check with my two brother-in-laws, who are in 10th and 12th grade, to see what their texts cover. I would be more than surprised if all that was covered (in the context of black history) is slavery.
Nope.. he goes to a Public school... however the school district is in a predominantly White area of the city whereas my high school was closer to 50/50.

My folks recently moved out of "the hood" to "the burbs" of Pensacola (i.e. Cantonment). Had he stayed at our old residence, he woulda attended the same High School I went to (Pensacola High). Their curicculums should be the same... however I can't say what "spin" history would get at his new school. :shrug: I do know that it isn't focused upon according to his direct testimony. :D

Houdini

12-21-2005, 11:34 PM

I'm with Cusbsfan and Grimm (shudder, the room just got cold). I don't think that the month is really needed anymore (at least in the educational systems that I've seen). I always found it more offensive that I would only learn about black heroes in February (oddly enough, the shortest month). Why should they be part of a separate fabric of society than the rest of America?

:stupid: and cubsfan, and Grimm.

Nope... I don't think Kanye would have a response to that... because it rings as true.

Honestly, if the history books in schools had been written to reflect ALL of American History, then Morgan is right... we wouldn't need a "special month" to reflect on it.

Much of American History was built with Black History as one of its components... however kids generally aren't taught much of those parts unless they take special "Black History" courses to that effect.

However, until those history books are re-written to include it... then I still see the need for the recognition. Gotta have one or the other. (not saying that the Month is preferable...)

I haven't read a school history book in years, so I have no idea what's there now. But growing up in MS, there was plenty of mention of Black history within the texts and lectures. I can't imagine it's being eliminated now. :shrug:

We're Americans, and Black history is an integral part of our history. From slavery, to the misconception the Lincoln freed the slaves, to the abuses and promises during reconstruction that took place under Johnson, to Jim Crowe, to excellent scientists, to enfranchisement, to pop culture, to Black intellectuals like MF and Cosby, to the next guy to come along, we should all be aware of the impact of Black culture as well as other cultures that have influenced where we are today. To single out one race for a month or a day seems counterproductive to ending racism. I'm all for a race-blind society.

clutchy

12-22-2005, 07:04 AM

MikeD

12-22-2005, 07:31 AM

He goes to a predominantly White high school and says that the only thing his history books say about Blacks is referring to Slavery and none of the other contributions of Blacks towards "American History" are reflected in their teaching.

Their curicculums should be the same... however I can't say what "spin" history would get at his new school. :shrug: I do know that it isn't focused upon according to his direct testimony. :D

The teachers have to teach what is in the curriculum. There is no leeway there. Any "spin" that would be involved would be minimal at best; they have to teach what the state mandates they teach.

Also, your nephew says that his school text only refers to slavery. The texts here in VA cover much more than that, and I can't imagine the educational system in FL sanctioning anything other than the same.

attgig

12-22-2005, 08:52 AM

Burzhui

12-22-2005, 08:50 PM

i agree with Freeman

Houdini

12-22-2005, 10:28 PM

I wonder if in our contexts of racially integrated communities really reflect all of America.

For most of us, we live near major cities, or on the coasts filled with all these different races. But if I were to go into a classroom in, say a southern state (missippi, alabamba, etc), will the teachers really teach American history as it is with Black history? I'm not sure of MF really knows how ALL of america is teaching black history, and thus understands the necessity of Black history month.

Please see my previous post, where I explained that even in my elementary/high school days in Mississippi, black history was taught as part of American History throughout the year. Yes, Carver and others were stressed during black history month, but any other notables and the civil rights movement, etc., were not omitted.

The prejudice people have against southern states these days is appalling. I went to public school in MS, and had a very mixed classes. I saw very little if any racism among students or teachers or anyone else. Movies and TV may give a distorted view of how the South is today. It's not perfect re: racism, but it's arguably no worse than anywhere else.

Grimm

12-23-2005, 09:40 AM

The prejudice people have against southern states these days is appalling. I went to public school in MS, and had a very mixed classes. I saw very little if any racism among students or teachers or anyone else. Movies and TV may give a distorted view of how the South is today. It's not perfect re: racism, but it's arguably no worse than anywhere else.
I lived in Mississippi for two years in the late '80s. The level of prejudice back then was staggering. You had white shops and black shops. You went to the right one or you didn't get served. You insisted in being "where you didn't belong" and you got hurt. The best jobs always went to the whites. That's just the way it was. Maybe something has changed in 17 or 18 years... but I doubt it.

MikeD

12-23-2005, 10:10 AM

I lived in Mississippi for two years in the late '80s. The level of prejudice back then was staggering...Maybe something has changed in 17 or 18 years... but I doubt it.

This is exactly the type of attitude that Houdini is speaking of.

If you haven't been there in nearly 2 decades, how can you accurately describe the levels of racism present (if any) today?

Grimm

12-23-2005, 10:44 AM

This is exactly the type of attitude that Houdini is speaking of.

If you haven't been there in nearly 2 decades, how can you accurately describe the levels of racism present (if any) today?
18 years isn't a lot of time when it comes to social change.
I suspect that Houdini saw the city South and I saw the deep South. In the cities it's not bad at all, very progressive and racicism is very quiet. In the deep South it's different. It't there and going strong.
I saw how parts of Texas were 15 years ago. Today it's the same. People are a bit better at pretending it's not there to outsiders, but it's still there.

I was living in Teaxs, I remember a bonfire and BBQ I was invited to in '95. Everyone at work was invited. My workplace was about 50/50 white and black. For some strange reason only a few non-whites showed up the the BBQ, they left very early. Suddenly all my politicaly correct co-workers were a bunch of rednecks who supported the KKK. I had thought these were normal people who were tollerant of others. I found out different that night. So I know racisim was alive and well in the South 10 years ago. I still have family there, apparently not much has changed since then. It hides a little better, but it's still there.
Racisim i alive and well in the good 'ole U S of A. It's not just a few kooks in the back woods either. They are all around, quiet untill they think you are one of them.

Houdini

12-23-2005, 11:27 AM

18 years isn't a lot of time when it comes to social change.
I suspect that Houdini saw the city South and I saw the deep South. In the cities it's not bad at all, very progressive and racicism is very quiet. In the deep South it's different. It't there and going strong.
I saw how parts of Texas were 15 years ago. Today it's the same. People are a bit better at pretending it's not there to outsiders, but it's still there.

I grew up in a very small town in Mississippi. That's deep enough South for me.