Celebrating Black History Month 2.0

The President of the United States is black. So is the richest and most successful woman in entertainment, Oprah Winfrey.

African Americans have gone to space, served as Republican national chairman, held the offices of secretary of state and attorney general, served on the supreme court, dominated sports and entertainment, and generally rocked our world for the better for decades.

The country has many African American achievements to celebrate as we enter Black History Month, which starts today. In fact, the positive impact of black Americans has been so prevalent that many argue we're past the point of needing a month to celebrate at all.

Morgan Freeman made a splash with this argument back in 2005 when he sat down with Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes. "You're going to relegate my history to a month?" he said bluntly. "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."

He certainly has a point, and drives home the fact that race relations in this country have always been a thorny issue. He boiled down the idea that many blacks don't like being singled out in a specific month for their achievements, which they believe only drives home the idea that they are somehow 'different.' Raina Kelley just published a fascinating essay on Newsweek.com titled, "The End of Black History Month? Why I'm Not Ready to Ditch It — Yet" and makes the point that the month should not only be about celebrating the many achievements African Americans have made to our country, but having frank discussions about how to improve race relations and help the plight of folks who haven't quite made it to space or the presidency yet.

"For Black History Month to once again seem culturally relevant, part of its time must be spent asking why there are still so many negative portrayals of black people in our culture — we can't just spend all 28 days talking about the nice ones," wrote Kelley. "And rather than wasting time bemoaning the existence of Black History Month, why don't we use it to proselytize for the issues that need to be more fully covered and understood the other 337 days of the year — such as failing inner-city public schools, institutionalized poverty, health-care disparities, and job discrimination?"

With some of that sober information in mind, we offer the following ways you can celebrate an evolving Black History Month this February — by getting involved, and doing something more:

* The US government has officially declared the theme of this year's Black History Month "The History of Black Economic Empowerment." In particular, it has singled out two individuals — Jacob Lawrence and Annie Malone — and one group — the National Urban League — to honor. Lawrence was an American narrative painter whose later works focused on the struggles of desegregation. Malone was an innovator in beauty products for African Americans. She developed a line of hair care products called "Poro," which led to the opening of "Poro College," the first cosmetology school for African Americans. The National Urban League is a civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment and improving the standard of living in under-served urban communities. So what does all this mean for you? How about pledging to volunteer for the Urban League, or donating to their efforts? Click here for more information about how you can help this month.

* The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, a DC-based non-profit, founded Black History Month way back in 1915 and spearheads the celebration of this month-long holiday to this day. In addition, they sponsor oral history projects, publish scholarly journals, have developed an extensive speakers bureau, run scholarship programs, essay contests and more all in the name of advancing African American achievement. Support their work by ordering one of their 2010 Black History Theme Products or simply make a donation here.

* Looking for an interactive way to honor Black History Month? Why not visit one of the many museums dedicated to the contributions of black Americans? There's practically a relevant museum in every state and blackpast.org has a comprehensive list of them you can access here. Many museums are running special exhibits and programs geared to Black History Month.

* Not sure you can get to a museum this month? There's plenty you can do at home. History.com, the Web site for The History Channel, has an impressive area of their Web site dedicated to celebrating Black History Month. Access online videos highlighting events including the March on Washington and the Harlem Renaissance, check out their list of 65 African American icons, peruse their Black History timeline and much more.

There are many more unofficial ways you can celebrate Black History this month, whether by patronizing a black-owned business, volunteering in an under-served black community or simply visiting your local library and reading up on race relations in this country.

Morgan Freeman dreams of a time when Black History Month is no longer necessary, but we hope you can make the most of this unique, month-long celebration while it is still here today.

World photo by Valentina Photography via Flickr

Panel 1 of Jacob Lawrence's "Migration of the Negro" courtesy of the National Archives via Wikimedia Commons