Black History month: A source of pride or a hindrance?

The corporate ads for Black History month have started. The special events are planned at schools, businesses and libraries.

And, once again, the debate in the black community has re-emerged about whether Black History Month should be celebrated or ditched because it has outlived its usefulness. Historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 called for “Negro History Week.” He chose February because it coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, who both played key roles in freeing slaves.

In 1976, the week was expanded to a month and has been that way ever since....