Are Cultural Group recognition months helpful?

2015-03-22T04:45:51-04:00

In the three years I've been in the Army I've seen Native American heritage month, Black heritage month, Asian heritage month , and Hispanic heritage month. While I love diversity, I always wonder that if we keep adding groups to a finite number of calendar months , who do we leave out? And what is the real intent of the recognitions ? Do they work? Again, I've attended these celebrations but I still wonder what the real outcome is that we hope to achieve? There will be some groups who feel they are left out I'm sure. Your thoughts?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 7:00 AM

2015-03-22T07:00:37-04:00

Sir - I have also attended many of these celebrations and enjoy the history and guest speakers. I also know a lot of Soldiers don't attend "their" celebrations, some say they don't need a month to remember where they come from, others attend because they feel obligated. Those are some of the things Soldiers have told me as a unit Equal Opportunity Leader and as a battalion CSM.

I personally have mixed feelings. On one hand I think they are awesome because of the history aspect and most guest speakers are very motivating. On the other hand they inadvertently remind us we are "different" from each other, which in a way continues to propel racism.

I would definitely encourage Soldiers to attend every celebration regardless of your race, gender, etc. You may even learn something.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 11:24 AM

2015-03-25T11:24:56-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver , I enjoy going to the celebrations, but Google Morgan Freeman's 60-minute interview with Mike Wallace where he states why he doesn't need a month as a Black American.

We celebrate February as African American Month or Black American Month? Do you exclude Egyptians, Tunisians, Libyans and white South Africans in African American month celebrations? Do Russians celebrate in Asian-Pacific Islander Month? Irish Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans and of courage UK-Americans (my own term) were foundational elements of our country -- when is there month (and their cultures are very unique). Hispanic American celebrations? So its okay to group Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Mexicans, et al all together. Having friends from all of those communities, they are very distinct to me -- are we patronizing these great cultures by grouping them all together?

We can't get away from it either. Arab-American month? Not sure that will get much traction right now. What about LGBT month?

Events to honor cultures, communities, etc can happen, should happen and be celebrated. But to mandate a month...not sure we are doing more than just "checking the block" towards political correctness.

But I agree with CSM Private RallyPoint Member , the events are good and we should expose more soldiers to these celebrations and often fantastic speakers (too often these are command and garrison heavy).

Dicey question.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 25 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-03-25T11:26:16-04:00

What do we decide to celebrate? Will we have Arab, Inuit, European, Indian, Islander, etc?

Won't we run out of months?

I don't see why it is necessary to celebrate these things, we should be approaching history as a conglomeration, not giving special treatment to different groups at different times. Why can't every month be Black/Asian/Hispanic/White/Native American month?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-03-25T12:07:02-04:00

I have the same sentiments as the LTC and the Morgan Freeman interview. It's a double edged sword in my opinion...on one hand we need to know more about where we all came from to help with understanding, becoming more worldly, all that good tree hugging stuff. On the other hand, if we continuously compartmentalize ourselves from one another, we'll never be "one nation" or act as "one people"...we'll be a bunch of tribes basically tolerating one another.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 25 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-03-25T12:09:36-04:00

As a individual, I think they do more to divide than bring together. Have a general "heritage month" and invite all groups to participate to SHARE their heritage. No one gets left out, everyone is included.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 25 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-03-25T12:20:59-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver, I disagree with any such "recognition months." LTC Private RallyPoint Member made some excellent points.
We are all American. We also all have mixed up cultural influences, and that's great. Remember when we were called the great melting pot? These months highlight our differences, when what we should focus on is how -- as Americans -- we are the same.

We don't need to dedicate months to the recognition of one culture or the other. We'll always be leaving out someone significant, or lumping totally different cultures together.

Have you heard of the Race Card Project? My six words are, "There's no room for hyphenated Americans." Just, be an American.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 1:23 PM

2015-03-25T13:23:55-04:00

Scottish American Month would be awesome. Haggis, Hearty Ale, Hearty Fun

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 1:36 AM

2015-03-28T01:36:11-04:00

As someone without a month, the general feel of this practice seems somewhat patronizing to me. As in, we're sorry you were persecuted and/or neglected in the past so here's a month in your honor. I do typically enjoy the events and presentations but I feel the practice as a whole could be handled better. We're so intent on grouping people that we lose sight of just how unique and interesting individual cultures within each group are.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Mar 28 at 2015 1:43 AM

2015-03-28T01:43:35-04:00

They don't detract from anything. So I see no issue with them.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 28 at 2015 2:15 AM

2015-03-28T02:15:56-04:00

I took a Diverse Cultural class in college. That was enough cultural awareness for a life time.