Black History Month Presidential Proclamation

[Khaotic]

MIA

No where to be found on whitehouse.gov

Any chance it's out there, but the webmaster of whitehouse.gov hasn't posted it yet?

Am I blind and can't see it?

Anyone?

I realize that there are more pressing issues than observance proclamations, but still.

[Khaotic]

1. Thoughts?

[ellacott]

3. No

[alwysdrunk]

2. I never knew there was one

I thought just about everything related to Black History Months was handled by educators.

[Unsane]

4. Never thought we needed a designated black history month. Black history is American history.

[alwysdrunk]

6. At one point it was needed

US history was taught for years with a deliberate disregard for black's contributions. Maybe now it is time to just teach history in the way it should be and not have the separate month and separate books. When I was in grade school to junior high (late 80's) I agreed that it was definitely needed.

[firedupdem]

5. What does he need to say about it? I'm black and my history is

every month. Educators and families may bring more attention to it during the month of February, but what does the President need to do?

[Khaotic]

7. WTF?

You mean no one here knows that there are observances (like Black History Month) and that the White House issues presidential proclamations for each one?

Regardless of the administration, each official observances has a presidential proc issued.

In the past they have become controversial when an administration chooses not to issue a proc for an observance that a former administration has included (i.e. gay pride month).

It's not that I don't think the Obama administration won't issue a proclamation for Black History Month, but I kind of figured they wouldn't wait around too long to do it.

[ecstatic]

15. Are you outraged?

:shrug:

[Clio the Leo]

8. It would not surprise me one bit to learn....

..... that he finds the title a bit bothersome.

Not the PRACTICE of "Black History Month," but what I have always felt as an historian is that "Black History" should perhaps be better termed "Our Other Forebearers - African Americans in the United States" .... but it's hard to put all of that on a bulletin board. :)

For the obvious reason, I believe Barack views "race" in a lot more liquid manner than we have traditionally dealt with it and I'm sure his administration is working on how to handle the matter in the best way possible.

[Khaotic]

9. I don't know ...

You can break it down any way you want.

I mean, it's an observance. The White House also has observance based procs such as Irish American Heritage Month, and others.

People can fair up and say that there's no need for it, but it's not like the proclamation costs the tax payer anything.

Feds don't get the month off or see a pay increase.

It's a warm fuzzy if that.

However, when it's been there for a long time and it's failed to be mentioned, then people notice as they did when Bush refused to sign the June observance of Gay Pride Month. That hasn't been observed since '00 when Clinton signed the last one.

Does that mean anything to homosexual Americans? I don't know ... I guess you could ask.

Do numerous observances water down the whole thing? Maybe we should only have observance based procs for really really really high vis observances, or none at all.

What pisses people off? Hmmmm, I guess everything.

So nose to the grind stone and any fufu related material like presidental proclamations can take a sideline to making sure the public doesn't see the executive branch spending time anything that isn't deemed absolutely nessessary.

If that's how we want it, cool wit me.

[Clio the Leo]

13. But THIS White House has not observed Irish American Heritage Month...

.... and when they choose to ignore it, I'll see your side of it.

I just think he looks at things from the other side of the coin. The commonality of the American people is one of his MAJOR themes .... I'd venture to say that it's THE primary focus of his campaign and approach to the White House.

Look, two years ago I would have agreed with you. But Barack has taught us all to look at things differently. I think he may see highlighting individual parts of the greater whole as being at cross purpose with what he's trying to do.

And Lord help us all here if he ignores Gay Pride Month lol.

[Danger Mouse]

10. I'm not sure if it's part of his agenda?

:shrug:

[Khaotic]

11. Presidential Proclamations

Presidential Proclamations aren't usually part of a presidents agenda.

They've been going on for years.

One dude made an entire 'net project out of all the procs going back past Kennedy.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/proclamations.php

Some groups go through a lot of time and effort to get their cause recognized and to get it made into a presidential proclamation.

I would be surprised if the Obama administration dropped them for fear that it looked like it was wasting tax payers dollars, but I guess you never know.

I would like to see them stay.

If you read through the different presidents procs and compare what some presidents signed and what other presidents didn't, in some instances I think it makes a statement.

[sohndrsmith]

12. So, it is SOP for presidents (who come into office in January, at least since

the early 30's) have all made proclamations for Black History Month since it's inception - but this one hasn't?

Or is there a different expectation?

I'm not sure what you're saying or arguing. I thought the month was already officially designated... and recognized in many, many ways throughout the entire time frame. And I rejoice that we have it and use it to teach and acknowledge and grieve and honor all that is Black History.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

14. when was black history month made?

[ellacott]

20. 1976

It began as a week in 1920 and was changed to Negro History Week in 1926.

[Brewman_Jax]

16. Kick

:kick: for a demographic group whose history has been deliberately ignored and forgotten.

[ellacott]

17. Which demographic group is that?

You all are so quick to find fault. It's quite pitiful.

*******************
Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 am
National African American History Month, 2009

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
------------------------------------

For Immediate Release

February 2, 2009



NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, 2009

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

The history of African Americans is unique and rich, and one that has helped to define what it means to be an American. Arriving on ships on the shores of North America more than 300 years ago, recognized more as possessions than people, African Americans have come to know the freedoms fought for in establishing the United States and gained through the use of our founding principles of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assembly, and due process of law. The ideals of the Founders became more real and more true for every citizen as African Americans pressed us to realize our full potential as a Nation and to uphold those ideals for all who enter into our borders and embrace the notion that we are all endowed with certain unalienable rights.

Since Carter G. Woodson first sought to illuminate the African American experience, each February we pause to reflect on the contributions of this community to our national identity. The history is one of struggle for the recognition of each person's humanity as well as an influence on the broader American culture. African Americans designed our beautiful Capital City, gave us the melodic rhythms of New Orleans Jazz, issued new discoveries in science and medicine, and forced us to examine ourselves in the pages of classic literature. This legacy has only added luster to the brand of the United States, which has drawn immigrants to our shores for centuries.

This year's theme, "The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas," is a chance to examine the evolution of our country and how African Americans helped draw us ever closer to becoming a more perfect union.

The narrative of the African American pursuit of full citizenship with all of the rights and privileges afforded others in this country is also the story of a maturing young Nation. The voices and examples of the African American people worked collectively to remove the boulders of systemic racism and discrimination that pervaded our laws and our public consciousness for decades. Through the work of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King and Thurgood Marshall, the African American community has steadily made progress toward the dreams within its grasp and the promise of our Nation. Meanwhile, the belief that those dreams might one day be realized by all of our citizens gave African American men and women the same sense of duty and love of country that led them to shed blood in every war we have ever fought, to invest hard-earned resources in their communities with the hope of self empowerment, and to pass the ideals of this great land down to their children and grandchildren.

As we mark National African American History Month, we should take note of this special moment in our Nation's history and the actors who worked so diligently to deliver us to this place. One such organization is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People -- the NAACP -- which this year will witness 100 years of service to the Nation on February 12. Because of their work, including the contributions of those luminaries on the front lines and great advocates behind the scenes, we as a Nation were able to take the dramatic steps we have in recent history.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2009 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of African American history.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/NationalAfricanAmericanHistoryMonth2009/

[Brewman_Jax]

18. You're quick to forget recent history

:eyes:

[ellacott]

19. Oh Really?

That's funny. If you only knew........

My reply was in response to all you complaining that he hadn't made a proclamation.

[hileeopnyn8d]

21. well look at that

It would be nice if the OP edited their post to include the proclamation that they claim doesn't exist.

I won't hold my breath.

[ellacott]

22. I agree

People are so fast to crtiticize but are remarkably silent when they are proven wrong.

[Khaotic]

26. Silent

I don't live on DU, so I don't get the opportunity to monitor any one thread on a continues basis.

And ... I wasn't proven wrong. The proclamation wasn't there when I posted.

I'm glad it's there now.

[ellacott]

29. Maybe my reaction was a little stronger than what was warranted

My frustration comes from reading this board and seeing so many people nitpicking and passing judgement on everything he does. Someone posted the other day that he was irresponsible and a bad parent because he hadn't gotten a dog yet.

I felt this post fit into that catagory. If that was not your intention then I apoligize.

[Khaotic]

30. It's all good

I think Barack is the man.

I've been onboard here in Iowa for a long time now.

I have been looking forward to his administration signing the proclamations that Shrub shrugged away.

I only meant to bring attention to it, but that doesn't mean I wanted to put it in a bad light.

I also look forward to the Obama adminstration reestablishing the White House Greetings Office. There are a lot of people who didn't want a piece of paper congratulating them on their 50th Wedding Anniversary or the birth of their child signed by Shrub. Fuck that.

I can't wait to get my grandfather, who served in World War II at the same time as five of his brothers, a letter signed by President Obama for his 93rd birthday. He does have one signed by Shrub for his 90th, but it's not a signiture I think he smiles about other than it coming from the White House.

Proclamations just mean more now because we have an elected president who represents the people, not a moron like Shrub who got in through a fixed election.

[Khaotic]

23. WTF?

I just checked the White House site and I don't see the proclamation, so what are you talking about?

Also ... I didn't think you could edit your post after so much time has past since you posted it.

[ellacott]

25. If you checked under proclamations it is not there

It was posted under "briefings".

[Khaotic]

24. Dude

I sure couldn't find that yesterday when I looked through the White House site.

In fact, even today I don't see it posted under the proclamation link.

My wasn't meant to slam the administration, but to get thoughts on the the fact that it hadn't been posted yet.

Never wanted to ruffle feathers.

I'm glad it's out there now.

I hope this administration observes and signs many of the proclamations observed by the Clinton administration that the Bush administration ignored.

[ellacott]

27. My reply was to the other poster

Who somehow tried to make a link between the proclamation not being posted and people who's history has been deliberately ignored.

I knew the proclamation would be made and I'm mystified why there was ever any concern about it not being posted.

[firedupdem]

28. Thanks for posting it. Great.... n/t