Why Does Black History Month matter?

An acquaintance, Monica R. Richardson, senior managing editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution/ajc.com, asked herself this question as journalists put together package of stories for the month.

All journalists would be better off if we would ask ourselves “Why?” In this case, the questions came from readers, both supporters and critics in the community and, of course, in the newsroom.

This is what Richardson wrote that resonated with me in her article:

“Our goal is to teach a bit about black history, to tell you more about your state, your city, your community, your neighbors, the people who are changing the world and how the world is changing because of them.”

While we increasingly use our news feeds to satisfy our curiosity about the people and issues we already know about, media give us more knowledge and wisdom if we use them to learn about the many worlds around us that we are less knowledgable about. That is what Richardson was saying, and that is what the Bias Busters series tries to do.

“100 Questions and Answers About African Americans” is available from Amazon or the Front Edge Publishing bookstore.