RICHMOND, VA- It has been 85 years since Carter G. Woodson started “Negro History Week” which later evolved into Black History month. While BHM is recognized throughout the nation, few look beyond surface facts and figures that media outlets commonly emphasize each year. In an interview, VCU sophomore Na’Kera Richardson keeps it real about her outlook on black history
Q: When you hear the term “black history” what is the first thing that comes to mind and why? A: Slavery would definitely be one of them, along with all of the amazing things my people have accomplished over the years like inventions and even how we were able to overcome such a horrible thing as slavery and Jim Crow laws. I think these things come to my mind because of course the word history triggers things from the past making me think of slavery and many other things dealing with my ancestor’s past.
Q: Who would you consider the most influential figure in black history? A: When it comes to influential figures and black history it would be extremely hard to pinpoint just one person because there are so many factors that make up our history. You have figures from slavery who started rebelling and running away, fighting for their freedom in different ways, from civil like court cases like Dred Scott, to physically fighting for their freedom like Nat Turner. You have the figures from the era after slavery like, of course, MLK and Rosa Parks. And also those black first like Jackie Robinson being the first black player in MLB and what about those that have made great advances not only in the black community, but for America, like Daniel Hale Williams who performed the first successful open heart surgery. Even today we have people in the black community making important strides in history every day. So, I think it would do black history as a whole injustice to pinpoint just one person as being the most influential because many people’s blood, sweat and tears went into what we call black history. Therefore I will not be able to name just one person as the most influential but in fact all hands played a part in making our history what amazing thing it is today.
Q: Other than MLK, who is a black figure you respect or consider a hero and why? A: Personally my hero would hands down have to be Oprah Winfrey. She is one of the most amazing stories of rags to riches that I’ve ever seen or heard. She went from growing up dirt poor to being sexually abused as a child and becoming one of the most rich and powerful people in America. Her story is such an amazing one because she shows that no matter what you go through, you can always overcome no matter the circumstances. Not only is she my hero because of her incredible background story, but what she does today. She has charities all over using her money for something positive and to give back. I also have an incredible respect for her and call her a hero because she has created an empire being a communications student. She is one person that I definitely look up to.
Q: Do you think racism is dying or do you think it’s as prevalent as it was several decades ago? A: Racism has come a long way to where it is punishable by law to publicly treat someone a different way because of their skin color. Today, you definitely can’t go around killing people and burning their property without being punished by law. But we still have a long way to go. I don’t believe it is as prevalent, but it definitely is here and will always be here as long as we have ignorant people passing down their ignorant beliefs to children with no intentions of dying. You can look at something as recent as President Obama’s presidential campaign and some of the racial slurs he was called and things people said and did. We can even take it back to the Jena 6 event in 2006. With stunning events such as these, you know racism is alive and kicking and will be for a long time.
Q: Do you think we’re living out Martin Luther King’s “Dream” today? A: I absolutely do not believe that we are living out MLK’s dream today. He wanted us to walk hand in hand with our white brothers and sisters have equal opportunities and make better people of ourselves. The black community where you lived in may have been well functioning, but as a whole we fall short. We are killing each other over simple things, having babies before we can even have a chance to grow up ourselves, dropping out of school before we can read, living in the run down projects with no dream or wish to escape, not ever wanting to do better but instead satisfied with what is put on your plate. We have come far but it is like somewhere in time 10 steps were taken backwards. At some point we lost aspiration and gave up on life to become the stereotypes people labeled us.
Q: Do you think with the progress our country has made, it’s still relevant to have a black history month? A: It will always be relevant to have a black history month because I honestly do not believe that there will ever be a day where we will be looked upon as equals by the entire world; as far as we have come, we still place last in everything. And maybe somehow having our own month will help other races and cultures remember how far we have come and how much we have accomplished. Sometimes even our own race needs to be reminded. If the world won’t give us credit where it’s due we have to take it upon ourselves to celebrate our past and the people in it even if it is only one month. I remind myself of how rich my culture and history is every day.
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