Music Video made and produced by the students and teachers of Dilworth School in Pittsburgh PA.
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases several YouTube videos of African American children's Black History Month performances. In addition to their information and creativity, these videos document various hair styles that are worn by the students during those time periods.
This pancocojams post also includes brief information about Black History Month in the United States.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. -snip- This post is closely related to a five part pancocojams series entitled "Some Hair Styles Worn By Black Girls In Africa And In The African Diaspora".
"Every February, people in the United States celebrate
the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History
Month.
HOW IT STARTED
In 1915, in response to the lack of information on the
accomplishments of Black people available to the public, historian Carter G.
Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In
1926, the group declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to
recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Few people
studied Black history and it wasn't included in textbooks prior to the creation
of Negro History Week.
This week was chosen because it includes the birthdays of
both Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist (someone who wanted to end the
practice of enslaving people), and former U.S. president Abraham Lincoln.
President Lincoln led the United States during the Civil War, which was
primarily fought over the enslavement of Black people in the country. Many
schools and leaders began recognizing the week after its creation.
The week-long event officially became Black History Month in
1976 when U.S. president Gerald Ford extended the recognition to “honor the
too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of
endeavor throughout our history.” Black History Month has been celebrated in
the United States every February since.
[...]
BLACK HISTORY MONTH TODAY
Since the first Negro History Week in 1926, other countries
have joined the United States in celebrating Black people and their
contribution to history and culture, including Canada, the United Kingdom,
Germany, and the Netherlands.
Today Black History Month continues the discussion of Black
people and their contributions through activities such as museum exhibits and
film screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African
Americans year-round."...
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE With regard to Showcase Video #1 that is given at the top of
this post, the publisher's name Urban Music" refers to a Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania based community organization that teamed with Dilworth School on
this 2023 Black History month project. The students who are rapping in this
video created their own raps.
This Dilworth School performance included an adult
instructor and some students performing American Sign language (ASL). Dilworth
had a sign language club and now offers sign language instructions for students
from kindergarten through fifth grade as an in-school option during Dilworth's
periodic creative learning enrichment periods. None of the Dilworth instructors
or students in that school are deaf or have any hearing loss. That club and the
sign language enrichment period provide/d opportunities for Dilworth students
to be introduced to and to learn another language and to increase their
awareness of and knowledge about deaf cultures.
The song that is sung in this video is a remake of Lauryn Hill's 1998 song "Doo Wop" (That Thing)",
Full Disclosure: My daughter is shown in this video along
with my granddaughter. My daughter, Mrs. Tazi Hughes, teaches at Dilworth
Traditional Academy, a Pittsburgh Public Elementary School. She and another
teacher were the founders of that American Sign Language (ASL) club and they are the instructors of Dilworth's ASL creative learning enrichment option.The first appearance of my daughter is around 1:11 in this video. (She's
wearing the jacket with the red trim.)
My granddaughter, Jaiya Hughes, was a fourth grade student
at Dilworth when this video was filmed. The first appearance of my
granddaughter is around 1:26 in this video. (She's wearing a t-shirt with black
and gold sign language insignia).
Principal Qualisha Zyhier's first appearance in this video is around .52.
**** ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are shown in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube.
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Kindergarten Black History Performance
Mansion Day School, Mar 11, 2013
Recorded on March 1, 2013 using a Flip Video camera. -snip- This video doesn't provide any information about the city/state where this school is located.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Black History Month Kindergarten Celebration
Harlem Village Academies, Jan 26, 2018 -snip- This video doesn't provide any information about the city/state where this school is located.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Richmond Heights Elementary School African American History
Program 2020
Richmond Heights Schools District MEDIA, Mar 4, 2020 -snip- This video didn't give any information about where this school is located . However, another video on that channel gave the name of that school district's former Superintendent and from their I deduced that Richmond Heights School is located in Richmond Heights, Ohio.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 -We Shall Overcome" - 4th Grade Video Performance
Ebenezer Avenue Music, Feb 24, 2022
"We Shall Overcome"
This video was created for educational use only and not for profit. -snip- This video doesn't provide any information about the city/state where this school is located. -snip- "We Shall Overcome" is a song that is associated with the 1960s United States civil rights movement. That civil rights protest song derived from the African American Gospel song "I'll Overcome" that was written in 1901 by Charles Albert Tindley.
Watch the animated music video for ""Black History
(It's Yours)"" - an original rap anthem that celebrates
African-American icons and heroes from Rosa Parks to Kendrick Lamar.
Written and Performed by Idris Goodwin
Directed by Yavae Thomas
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcase the animated music video entitled "Black History (It's Yours)".
The official transcript of that video is included in this post.
The content of that post is presented for historical, cultural, and educational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Idris Goodwin, Yavae Thomas, and all others who are associated with this video.
**** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT - BLACK HISTORY (IT'S YOURS)
0:04
♪ Left to the right Top to the
floor ♪
0:06
♪ When I say Black History Say
it's yours ♪
0:10
♪ Black History It's yours ♪
0:12
♪ Black History Yes, it's yours ♪
0:15
♪ And we say it loud And proud
again ♪
0:17
♪ There's no America Without the
African ♪
0:20
♪ Fightin' to get it equal ♪
0:22
♪ Black History The story of the
people ♪
0:25
♪ Black History It's yours ♪
0:27
♪ Black History Yes, it's yours ♪
0:31
♪ Only 28 days In the month of
February ♪
0:35
♪ It's just the kick off We
don't stop 'til every ♪
0:37
♪ Textbook in every class Give
up the glory ♪
0:39
♪ The true and living facts Of
his and her story ♪
0:42
♪ People wanna know why We still
celebrate it ♪
0:45
♪ Road been rocky And we made
it, we elated ♪
0:47
♪ Our survivors, strivers
Fighters, singers ♪
0:50
♪ Get us droppin' names Like we
had butter fingers ♪
0:52
♪ Rosa, King, X Truth, the
Greatness ♪
0:54
♪ I'll leave Fred Douglas These
are the basics ♪
0:57
♪ But how about Bessie Coleman
The Fly Aviatrix ♪
1:00
♪ Or Katherine Johnson who
Helped launch the space ships ♪
1:02
♪ Or Lewis Latimer Illuminating
homes ♪
1:04
♪ Or Dr. Shirley Jackson
Improvin' telephones ♪
1:07
♪ Or Fred Mckinley Jones Keepin'
ice cream cold ♪
1:10
♪ I could go on and on 'Til my
body get old ♪
1:13
♪ Left to the right Top to the
floor ♪
1:15
♪ When I say Black History Say
it's yours ♪
1:18
♪ Black History It's yours ♪
1:20
♪ Black History Yes, it's yours ♪
1:22
♪ Fought the revolution And both
world wars ♪
1:25
♪ Black History It's yours ♪
1:28
♪ Black History Yes, it's yours ♪
1:30
♪ Black History Yes, it's yours ♪
1:34
♪ Gotta say it loud And proud
again ♪
1:35
♪ There's no America Without the
African ♪
1:39
♪ Fightin' to get it equal ♪
1:40
♪ Black History The story of the
people ♪
1:42
♪ We gave you traffic lights To
stop the crash ♪
1:45
♪ Almanac, gas furnace And gas
mask ♪
1:48
♪ Gave ya hip-hop T La Rock ♪
1:49
♪ Blues and jazz A fresh new
dances ♪
1:52
♪ With flare and pizzazz ♪
1:53
♪ Automatic gear shifts To move
the cars ♪
1:55
♪ Potato chips And peanut butter
in jars ♪
1:58
♪ Laundry dyers Home security
systems ♪
2:00
♪ Super soakers and suspenders I
could go on listin' ♪
2:03
♪ Many contributions Across
institutions ♪
2:05
♪ Supreme Court and ball court
It's been an evolution ♪
2:09
♪ And we sing it every day ♪
2:11
♪ Blue Notes like Harold Melvin
For this Billie Holiday ♪
2:13
♪ We know what's goin' on Thanks
to Marvin Gaye ♪
2:15
♪ Get a bounce in our step On Q
like Kid N' Play ♪
2:18
♪ Gwendolyn and Kendrick Our
poets represent ♪
2:20
♪ Hold mics tight like truths
That's self-evident ♪
2:23
♪ Yeah, we know Our hero's
fantastic ♪
2:26
♪ But gotta remember The
forgotten on the Atlantic ♪
****
TRANSCRIPTION- "KIDS ADDRESS ALTERNATIVE FACTS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH" VIDEO
[clip from The View Whoopie Goldberg- “She’s coined a new term for the times we’re living in...
[clip from Inside Politics host John King- “Brace for it parents of America...
NBC News clip of Kellyanne Conway- Alternative facts. [vocals repeated but slowed down] “Alternative facts”.
Boy #1- “What are those?”
Boy #2- shown shrugging his shoulders [no words spoken]
Boy #3- Oh. What? [older black boy with high top]
Girl #1 with Girl #2 (twins) – Alternative facts? [said in amazement]
Girl #3- Lies. I mean fibs
Girl #4- Also known as stereotypes
Boy #3- Or false narratives
Girl #3- It’s like saying
Boy #5- Black history began with slavery
Boy #6- [no words spoken, but boy has an expression that can be interpreted as “Say what?!”]
Girl #3 – That’s offensive.
Girl #5- Or that we’ll never see another Black president in our lifetime.
Boy #5- What about me?
Girl #3- This Black History Month we’re focusing on The Facts.
Girl #6 -Not alternative facts.
Girl #7- Indisputable.
Girl #4 – Truth.
Boy #3 - Real.
Girl #6 – “Black girl magic” is real.
Boy #5- “Black boy joy” is real.
Girl #4- “Black wealth” is real.
Girl #6 – “Black beauty” is real.
Girl #1 and Girl #2- “Black support” is real.
Boy #3- “Black excellence” is real.
Boy #1 – It’s real!
Girl #3 – “Black love”- that’s real
Girl #8- Black lives are real.
Girl #3- I’m real.
Girl #5 – Black history didn’t begin with slavery.
Boy #3- And it Doesn’t end with the Obamas.
Girl #3- Whom we love and miss. No like, we Really miss you.
Child's voice off screen- “Facts”.
-snip-
Additions and corrections are welcome, including the numbering for the speakers.
This post showcases a video of a group of African American
children responding to the idea that African American actress Stacey Dash proposed to cancel Black history month. A trancript of that video and selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post.
As background, I've also included some information about Black history month (in the United States) as well as an excerpt of an article about African American actress/television commentator Stacey Dash's clarifying comments about her position about Black history month. Two comments from that article's discussion thread are also included in this post along with further background information about references in those comments.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and sociological purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the children who are featured in this video and thanks to all those were associated with the production of this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of this video on YouTube.
****
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH
From http://www.loc.gov/law/help/commemorative-observations/african-american.php
"Overview
National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history.
National African American History Month had its origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (“ASALH”). Through this organization Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of African Americans....
-snip-
For more information about Black history month in the United States, click http://www.ibtimes.com/black-history-month-2016-15-interesting-facts-about-famous-african-americans-february-2284855. That article purports to list "15 bits of information you should know about Black History Month".
-snip-
Most overviews of Black history month (in the United States) including that ibtimes.com article (whose link is given immediately above) focus on learning about the contributions of a few specific historical and contemporary African Americans such as George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King, Jr. However, some proponents of African American history month (Black history month) place the same or more emphasis on the second part of the stated purpose for that month - "to deepen our understanding of our nation's history". Furthermore, a number of those proponents of Black history month (myself included) believe that "African American history doesn't begin with slavery" [to quote an often used statement that is echoed at 0.33 in the video embedded below].
In my opinion, the definition and purpose of Black history month has been expanded from its original "contribution" focus to include the presentation and study of past and current issues and conditions that are consequences of this nation's history. An example of that way of considering Black history month is found in http://www.refinery29.com/2016/02/102541/black-history-month-civil-rights-issues. Here's a quote from that article:
"It’s an old cliché, but it's still true: Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. That’s why we have events like Black History Month: to acknowledge the ugliest parts of America's past and try to incorporate them into our nation's sense of self.
For many young people, Black History Month is mostly focused on the Civil Rights Era of the 1950s and '60s and the victories won by that generation. But as we pointed out on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, it’s not enough to cheer for the wins without also acknowledging that the struggle remains. Many of the issues that our parents and grandparents fought for are still unresolved. Some have taken new shapes.
-snip--
That article lists ”six lingering problems that we'll probably still be talking about for years to come.
Educational Segregation
Mass Incarceration
Voting Rights
[problems with and limited access to] Public Health & Community Resources
Income & Wealth Inequality
Violence & Policing
-snip-
And that article ends with these sentences:
“History is not only about looking back, after all. What changes we work for today will be history next year. Whether they will be worth celebrating is up to us.”
****
THE UNDERLYING PURPOSE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
I believe that the underlying purpose of Black history month is to help Black children, youth, and adults develop and reinforce a positive, healthy sense of self esteem and group esteem which is a integral part of self-esteem. Positive self esteem/group esteem is often difficult for Black people (and other People of Color) to achieve and maintain given this nation's institutional racism and its consequences, including largely Eurocentric (White centered) curriculums.
The Clueless* actress took to her blog to explain the controversial remarks, stating that she no longer wants to be categorized for anything other than being American.
"I'm not saying we as black people deserve LESS respect. I'm saying we deserve MORE," Dash wrote. "Black History should be a part of social studies and history curriculum EVERYDAY OF EVERY MONTH OF EVERY YEAR."
She added, "Black history IS American history. We are not a category or a special interest group. We are Americans."
She then argued that it's not fair to limit the work done by people like Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama and Frederick Douglass into just one month.
"Our accomplishments cannot be limited to 28 days," she continues. "Do not listen to liberals who try to limit you, to put you into a box, to tell you that you MUST believe one way or another, that you cannot think for yourselves, and that the government can ‘give' you a 'special month.'"
Rather she encourages her readers to stop "settling for breadcrumbs" and instead "eat of the wonderful, rich food this nation offers."...
-snip-
*The word "clueless" in that article probably has the double meaning of referring to the title of the film Clueless and its spin off television series and a play on the meaning of the word "clueless" - "not having knowledge about something : unable to understand something" [merriam-webster definition]
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stacey_Dash
-snip-
Here are two comments from that eonline.com article:
ddale20, Mon Feb 01 2016
"Morgan Freeman said the same things. Does that make him ignorant. She has a point that black history shouldn't be a separate part of American history. That's idiotic. We can't let liberals 'white wash' America. We don't deserve a month. We deserve to be mentioned in the entire year and history of the country. We've been here since the inception of America and helped build this nation. We should not be relegated to a month."
-snip-
African American actor Morgan Freeman said Black history month was ridiculous because we are all Americans. http://www.ibtimes.com/black-history-month-2016-15-interesting-facts-about-famous-african-americans-february-2284855
Several commenters wrote that Stacey Dash said the above comments as damage control because of all the criticism she was getting about her initial comment that there shouldn't be a Black history month.
**
Coaltiger, Thu Jan 28 2016
"There has to be a black history because there is a white history month it's called Jan, February, March,April, May , June, July, September, October,November, and December. Schools tend to ignore the contributions of African Americans. My sons school gave him a text book that actually said all slaves were paid fair wages for their labor and most were happy!!! That's the biggest lie ever told. We had to get the book pulled."
-snip-
Click http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/18/463488364/amid-controversy-scholastic-pulls-picture-book-about-washingtons-slave for an article about the Scholastic book A Birthday Cake For George Washington which is probably the book that is referenced in that comment.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: We told a group of kids that Stacey Dash was canceling Black History Month
Because of Them We Can, Published on Feb 1, 2016
****
TRANSCRIPT OF THAT VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe5JSkUvj5c
Note: This video begins with a portion of a Fox News (television station) series Fox & Friends interview with African American actress/television commentator Stacey Dash about the topic of Black actors & actresses boycotting the Oscars 2016. The screen shows the words “Accusations Of Racism. Black Actors Snubbed From 2016 Oscars".
Stacey Dash was asked if she thought that there was racism in the American Academy of Motion Pictures & Science that gives these Oscar nominations and awards.]
0.01 -0.06: Stacey Dash – “I don’t think so. No. Just like there shouldn’t be a Black history month. You know, we’re Americans. Period. That’s it.
-snip-
The video then shows brief clips of various Black boys and girls responding to the statement that they were given that Stacey Dash wants to cancel Black history month.*
0.07 - “What?”
0.08 - "Excuse me?"
0.09 - [shaking head] “Un hun”.
0.10 – [laughs] "What did she just say?"
0.12 - [rolls eyes] "Oh my gosh."
0.13 – "Is that even legal?"
0.14 –[girl holds out both arms while shrugging and smiling, but doesn’t say anything]
0.15 - [boy hits his forehead with one the palm of one hand- in exasperation [?] and says "Ugh!"
0. 16 - "That don’t make any sense."
0.18 - [girl standing with hands on both hips says] “Does Carter G. Woodson know about this?"
0.21 - [boy leans back and forth with arms outstretched for emphasis] - “Black history month is our turn”
0.24 - "to acknowledge our strength,"
0.25 - "our accomplishments"
0.27 - "and our contributions,"
0.28 - "and our beauty."
0.29 - [Black boy shown laughing] (at the fact that the other boy complimented himself?)
0.30 - "It forces us to talk about"
0.32 - "our amazing history"
0.33 - "and it didn’t begin with slavery."
0.37 - "No negativity, no stereotypes",
0.39 - "All excellence"
0.40 - "because that’s who and what we are."
0.44 - "We’re not cancelling anything."
0.46 - "So you have to rock with us for 29 days" [Boy winks after saying that.]
0.49 - "It’s a celebration."
0.50 – "It’s black history month." [Boy swaggers off the screen.]
-snip-
Transcript by Azizi Powell from the video. Additions and corrections are welcome.
A number of commenters in this video's discussion thread criticized the video for being scripted and rehearsed. However, the mother of one of the children in this video denied that the video was scripted.
I think the wording of the statement "It forces us to talk about our amazing history" is unfortunate. I think what whoever wrote that statement meant was that Black history wouldn't be studied in the United States even to the extent that it is now if it were not for the fact that the curriculum mandates that teachers cover that subject (even in the "famous Black people" way that they usually do) during the month of February.
****
SELECTED COMMENTS
Here are some selected comments from this video's discussion thread that focus on the idea of Black history month (in the United States.) I recognize that other compilations of these online comments would probably be different than the one that I'm compiling and sharing.
These comments are given in chronological order with the oldest comments given first. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.
As is the case with a number of YouTube comment threads, a number of comments in this thread (but not in these examples) contain profanity.
February 2, 2016
1. prealpha2
"Black history month is BS, people of all races should be proud of their history all year not just when its made into an event."
**
Reply
2. Jonathan Loganberry
"+prealpha2 Yes, everyone should just be proud to be american and stop coddling criminal behavior because "white people are evil"
**
Reply
3. Aquarius Anarchy
"Black History Month and things of that nature only further the fragmentation of mankind. The ruling elite find it to their advantage though...
Divide and conquer.
You are not the extension of a group; you are a complex individual that transcends race, nationality. and creed."
**
4. Jason Simmons
"Awesome video.... happy Black History Month!!! Sorry some of yall are salty (when your ancestors have been in slavery, hung from trees, denied the right to vote, forced to sit in the back of the bus oh and considered 3/5 of an human being... then get back at me and complain ;)"
**
Reply
5. prealpha2
"+Jason Simmons Literally every race has been slaves throughout history."
**
6. Jonathan Loganberry 3
"+Jason Simmons What about Jewish people? what about chinese people ? what about white indentured slaves? what about whites fighting to the death with their own brothers in the civil war? get some historical context and realize everyones ancestor had a hard time in some way or another, and then get back at me. You were never a slave... this is fact. Being poor doesnt mean you dont understand the difference between right and wrong. So poverty is not why you guys commit more crime... glorifying thugs is why you guys commit more crimes and the more you guys by into this "we are not just american and black people need to keep it real" you guys will remain a segmented group of society and "disenfranchised" . This is now completely your own choice at this point in time."
**
Reply
7. Jason Simmons 3 days ago
"+prealpha2 how bout slavery in the last 200 years? Don't forget the rest of the struggle..... ( you should read about it) ;)"
**
8. Jason Simmons
"+Jonathan Loganberry Why do we learn about the Holocaust? Im not Jewish.. should I care? The fact is I DO care.. and Im not Jewish. The fact is that taught in school. All black history does is highlight .. well Black History. As for the other races... I would love to learn more. I didn't know much about Chinese slaves. To be honest I would ...if brought into light. I think my point has been made."
**
Reply
9. Pammela Newton [February 3, 2016]
"+Jason Simmons their are more slaves on earth RIGHT NOW than their ever were in American history... But lets boohoo about the past... You know whats strange, out of all the cultures that have been enslaved over time blacks seem to be the only ones still complaining about it..."
**
Reply
10. Jason Simmons [February 3, 2016]
"+Pammela Newton I didn't know other races were denied the right to vote in ... get this... THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Please tell me who? All this "every race thing" is interesting except we are talking about the US and its history"
**
11. jesusneverexisted300
"+High Voice Royce Ok my computer was able to get the thread back for some reason. Something is wrong with Youtube. Anyways, I really can't see your point as to why we shouldn't include or recognize others contributions to America. It is like speaking a foreign language to me because since the time I was born, we have always celebrated the achievements of others.
White people celebrate everyday their history and accomplishments in America. In fact, I am black by the way, and all I have ever learned about was white people's histories and accomplishments since I was 5 years old. The first thing we learned as children is to pledge allegiance to America and celebrate the accomplishments of George Washington. In the public schools from grade school to high school all we learned about were Greek civilization, Rome Civilization, British Civilization (All white people by the way and no black people).
Black people have no choice in this country in regards to accepting white history. We have to accept it regardless if we agree or have any problems with it. Let's just say we were conditioned to accept white people history or we were forced. At least we are not forcing Black History Month on to white people."
**
Reply
High Voice Royce
12. "+jesusneverexisted300 I see your point and agree whole heartily about white history. Remember that history is written by the victor so it makes sense that most of the worlds history represents those who were in command. I do recognize the importance of displaying the contributing citizens from ALL walks of life. Not only blacks, but white, red, yellow, etc. American history is very young, so I understand the need to create an identity other than the "ugly" one that we know existed. America is so far behind the rest of the world in regards to identifying itself which is why there has been a creation of these recognition tools. All I am saying is it brings too much of a bad energy and racist from all walks of life including a bias and racist media. The whole point of recognition was to eliminate the racist history you had. I agree is was a great idea at the time. Unfortunately like everything it has now been used as a tool to support hidden agendas."
**
13. natgirrl
"For all of you that can't see the need for BHM, answer me this? Did you know that the first man killed in the Revolutionary war was a black man, Crispus Attucks? No? How about this, were you aware that if you or a loved one have received blood transfusions to save their lives that they can thank a black man by the name of Charles Drew? Did you know that the traffic light was invented by a black inventor by the name of Garret Morgan? If you didn't know these fun facts, you too need Black History Month."
**
Reply
14. Jonathan Loganberry
"+natgirrl Did you know the first slave owner (like people being considered property and not just indentured servants) was in fact a Black man in the colony of Virginia? his name was Anthony Johnson and he was a former indentured servant. Yes, thats right , the first actual slave owner in North America was in fact a black man. So do you guys teach that?"
**
Reply
15. natgirrl
"You are missing point. If you don't know even the basics of Black American History, then what the hell are you complaining about. Get to learning."
**
Reply
16. ToBad SoSad
"+natgirrl I would say you're missing the point. It should simply be AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. You act as if whites go out and about seeking white only history ignoring blacks. It doesn't happen. People in general don't give a crap about any history prior to their own life, those that do enjoy history seek all history not race specific. Having someone spoon feed me history because of someones race is weak sauce. History is being rewritten and everyone has their opinion on what was once factual. Trust is lost in all aspects, learn from history for the better as not to make the same mistakes but it's time to forget the rest and start making positive history."
**
Reply
17. natgirrl [February 3, 2016]
"You are missing the point. All that we have been taught in school about the black contribution to this country has been slavery and the civil rights movement. There is so much that is not covered within American history. I agree with you, Black History is American History, but it is not nor has it ever been taught in our schools. What are your ideas to cover everyone's contributions in our schools?"
**
Reply
18. ToBad SoSad [Feburary 3, 2016]
"+natgirrl So it's a battle for the spotlight? I would doubt you could find a handful of white people that could ramble off more then 5 names of white inventors with their inventions within 5 decades of the right time line. Most people just don't have an interest.
These great people in history of any race did the things they did to improve humanity and that is historical. It would be a shame to ignore their contribution to humankind by limiting it to an accomplishment of their skin color."
**
Reply
19. natgirrl [February 4, 2016]
"Our schools have failed us. Be mad at the system, not at Blacks that want to see their part in American history represented as well."
**
20. fullm3tal90
I find this offensive and racist why do blacks get a month but us Hispanics and Asians don't get one
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Reply
21. Summer Smith [February 3, 2016]
"Um...you do have a history month
National Hispanic Heritage Month- September 15 to October 15
National Asian and Pacific Islander Month- The month of May
I can't believe you don't know your own history month lol"
**
22. MIKEY MELANIN MADE [February 3, 2016]
"They are kids Learning about their Culture and the struggles of African Americans! its very important"
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February 4, 2016
23. Granite City Photography
"Clearly coached, blatant misrepresentation. This ad hints at the idea that black history month is time to acknowledge their beauty, heritage, history, etc... The problem with that is what about the rest of the months? I am a latino and I don't like anything that says this is when you as a group should acknowledge your exceptionality. And furthermore there would be an outcry if there was a white history month. Stacey Dash was ABSOLUTELY right."
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24. Laurynas Nesakysiu
"What about white history month? Or event maybe 2 months? Since we achieved way more and we have richer history. To celebrate all wonderful things we did to the world."
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Reply
25. Casey Williams [February 5, 2016]
"Irish heritage month, Lithuanian Heritage Month, Italian heritage month, ect you have them just research and see which applies to you... smh people want to pissed and moan and cry for something they already have! When I was in high school we celebrated each heritage month because it was a diverse student body in my school and I found that to be awesome. People can be proud of who they are without hate. I can be proud to be black without being anti white.. you can be proud to be white without being anti black.. it can be done it's just up to you wither you want to allow that ignorant hate in your heart or not."
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February 5, 2016
26. Nathan Webber
"Every month should be black history month. Forcing black history (which by the way only means post-diaspora history according to westerners and not African history before 1600) into one month teaches black children that they are only worth one month out of the year. African history should be integrated into the school curriculum throughout the year, ending the need for "black history month". This is what Dr. King would have wanted."
On February 1, 2016 African American actor John Boyega, star of the latest Star War movie, tweeted "Happy black history month" to his twitter followers. A blogger responded with a tweet to which John Boyega then responded "Take several seats".... The entire tweets from those two bloggers are included in the example section below. My comments about those particular tweets are given in the comment section below. I also plan to include these tweets in an upcoming pancocojams post about Black history month. The link for that post will be included in this post.
I decided to write this post as a result of reading those articles about John Boyega's tweet and then reading other articles about that saying (and similar sayings). My particular impetus for this post was the realization that there's not a lot of online information available about "take a seat" that not only accurately indicate what that saying and extensions of that sayings mean, but also gives props to Black gay ballroom culture for originating that saying.
This post provides definitions, comments, and examples of the slang saying "Take a seat" and related sayings such as "Have several seats" and "Take several seats. Take the whole stadium".
The content of this post is presented for etymological, cultural, and sociological purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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WHAT "TAKE A SEAT" (AND ITS EXTENSIONS "TAKE (HAVE) SEVERAL SEATSE) MEAN
The slang saying "Take a seat" means to sit down and shut up (because what you are saying or doing isn't accurate or doesn't make any sense.)
"Take several seats" means that what you are saying or doing really isn't accurate and/or really doesn't make any sense.
Here's a definition for "have several seats":
From http://stan-wars.com/stan_dictionary.html
"have several seats - shut up; to stop talking or engaging in your current activity in order to avoid further embarrassment or conflict.
John: "Britney Spears has more Grammys than Lady Gaga."
Jack: "Have several seats."
-snip-
A "stan" is an avid or overzealous fan of a celebrity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_(fan)
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From http://madamenoire.com/269845/get-your-life-com-other-tamar-braxton-catch-phrases/ Your Life, .Com! And Other Hilarious Tamar Braxton Catch Phrases April 1, 2013 ‐ By Veronica Wells
"Five years ago most of us had no idea who Tamar Braxton was. (Some of ya’ll had the album but most of you didn’t.) Well, all of that changed when “Braxton Family Values” hit We TV. Now, when you think of the Braxton sisters, Tamar’s name must be a part of the conversation. While Toni sang her way into our hearts. Tamar chatted her way in our affections and sometimes our nerves. Whatever the case may check out the catch phrases that made her famous."
** http://madamenoire.com/269845/get-your-life-com-other-tamar-braxton-catch-phrases/6/
"Have several seats
...“Have several seats” is reserved for the folks who are standing for the wrong principles. In case they think they’re vilified, a quick “have several seats” quickly lets folks know that you are not in agreement with their stance.
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From http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/06/tamarisms_101_get_hip_to_tamar.html "Tamarism 101: Get hip to Tamar Braxton's infamous quotes before Saturday's Birmingham concert" By Mia Watkins, on June 10, 2014 at 4:20 PM, updated June 10, 2014 at 4:26 PM
"Tamar Braxton may be known for hitting all the right notes but she can also turn a phrase. Anyone who watches her two WE tv reality shows, "Braxton Family Values" and "Tamar and Vince," knows that the youngest Braxton is a scene stealer largely thanks to her made for TV personality and her quick-witted responses. Ahead of her Saturday "Love and War" tour stop at Iron City, here are just a few of her famous catchphrases:
..."Have several seats"
"Have several seats" derives from the phrase "have a seat." It can be used to either shut someone up or let them that their doing what is called "the most," which is always a touch too much. One could even take it up a notch and ask the person they're in opposition with to "have a stadium of seats." It's even more effective."
-snip-
It should be noted that these "take a seat", "have several seats" slang sayings doesn't have the same origin and meanings as the Chris Hansen catchphrase, “why don’t you take a seat right over there?" that was popularized by the television show To Catch A Predatorhttp://knowyourmeme.com/memes/people/chris-hansen
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COMMENTS AND EXAMPLES OF THE SLANG SAYING "TAKE A SEAT" AND ITS EXTENSIONS
These quotes are presented in no particular order, except for the first comment about the Black (African American) Gay origin of that saying. These selected comments may not be consecutive order.
I've numbered these quotes for referencing purposes only.
From http://thoughtcatalog.com/madison-moore/2012/11/black-gay-slang-explained-to-suburban-white-people/ Madison Moore, November 29, 2012 [comments section]
Editor's Note: Most of these selected comments are about the general subject of the Black Gay (ballroom) origin of a number of American slang terms and saying. I'm including these comments because I consider them to be pertinent not only to the "take a seat" saying, but to a number of other American slang terms and saying.
1.Guest, 2013
"lol you also forgot "hunty" "stay pressed" and "bye felicia". Oh and my personal favorite: "B&&ch*, take several seats"
-snip-
*That full word was spelled out in this comment.
**
2. Jaimee398, 2013
"The list or phrases on it arent racist or meant to be racist. Its actual phrases people say. Its a gay thing, not a black or white thing. And it is hilarious the things that come out of our mouths or that get turned into the new phrases people say."
**
3.Bennett Schneider > El, 2013
"I hope not to diminish your experience and cultural integrity, but language is fluid. It cross pollinates always and has for as long as we have spoken. African and African American language has a hallmark of wonderful fluidity and redefinition. That improvisational poetry has long influenced all language types in American English; it is a gift for which all should be grateful. I don't know how one could make language used so widely, exclusive, esp. in this day and age of instant communication.
Gay male slang has also been one of the more fluid and improvisatory languages - for example, in England there is an actual Gay dialect form the early 20th Century now studied in colleges.
To the claim that black LGBT slang should remain spoken and written only by bona fide black gay male practitioners of a certain sub-set, how would we regulate that? Should gay men not say "Gurl!" if they are white, Asian, and Latino? What about black gay men you do not consider of the correct sub-set; how will they know? Or does their being in the black community make that automatically OK, even if they have not spoken it much before? Can Black women say it? because they has been enormous cross over between black gay slang and black female slang.
We could, forgive me for suggesting, look at the marvelous inventions of language coming from black gay men, as a gift to the the whole community. It could be a shining source of pride that these valued members of our community keep us alive and creative and smiling with better turns of phrase than we might have had in a community of exclusivity. (of course this begs the awareness of White Privilege and the loooong denial of white culture's "gifts" to black people and others... like, opportunity, freedom, money, and access).
**
4. Alixi > Jaimee398, 2014 [In response to the comment that this is Gay slang and not just African American slang.]
"But majority of it is African American slang. Don't understand how whites make fun of slang and AAVE all day long but refuse to acknowledge the source when it's widely known
**
5. Jessie > El, 2015
"There are white people in the ball scene. I'm pretty new, but I've walked, got my tens, won my category. I'm not going to code switch to standard straight white people talk just to make the tumblr types comfortable."
6. Fallon, 2012
"Catch phrases from the gay community you mean.. Ok then
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Reply
7. OSHH > Fallon, 2012
"Right, this is just a resurgence and twist on phrases I first heard in the 80's. Besides have several seast and you need to sit down etc those have been around also"
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Reply
8. OSHH > Fallon, 2012
"Right, this is just a resurgence and twist on phrases I first heard in the 80's. Besides have several seast and you need to sit down etc those have been around also"
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Reply
9. She needs to have several seat, 2012
"She's heard "have several seats" from youtube blogger makael fromt the skorpion show and she wont profit from because she didnt originate it. They're really good friends he said it on the show."
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10. Just saying!!, 2012
"I can't believe all the shade in the comments section. Did you people come to this article just to tell everyone you don't like Tamar!? You knew it was going to be celebrating her catch phrases...so if you don't like it don't click on the damn article--it's REALLY that simple! With that being said...HAVE SEVERAL SEATS and GET YOUR LIFE. :) (Y'all tried it...but failed!)
11. "Best Answer: Context is really the only way to answer your question. Next time you post something like this, use it in a sentence."
Source(s):
Lex T, 2011
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12. "The people with the answers above need to have several seats! Which means you're stupid and need to go sit the feck down somewhere. Take a seat!!! In fact, take several seats... (how's that for context?)
Source(s):
Common sense..."
mz, 2013
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13. "It's a way of telling someone to shut up after they've said or done something to disgrace themselves."
chichidark64, 2013
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From https://www.facebook.com/RealHousewivesofAtlanta/videos/10153202204720780/ [all of these comments are from January 12, 2016. These comments refer to an American television program entitled Real Housewives Of Atlanta. The women starring in this reality series (now) are all African Americans. The first blogger takes her (or his) screen name from the title of that series.
14. Real Housewives of Atlanta
"Pick your head up OFF the floor because NENE LEAKES has RETURNED. Don't miss her arrival on an all-new #RHOA Sunday @ 8/7c."
**
15. Sandra Sanders
"I knew that big mouth lady coming back if she has no other projects.,..run back to Atlanta house wives..its her side show...case she has nothing else to appear in.....have several seats Nene,.....all them bills got to keep the money flowing.."
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16. Juanita V White
"You should have several seats as well. It's an ignorant mouse that has only one hole to crawl into. Why shouldn't she make money while she has the opportunity? You're sounding silly and hateful"...
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17. Darren Diver
"Take several seats, the Queen is back!!!! You can't have Atlanta housewives without Nene!"
Note: Mob Wife is an American reality television. All the women starring in that series are White.
WARNING: This page contains a lot of profanity.
18. nguerrero2789@littlegirlblue_
"But she didn't so you don't. Youd think those people paid your bills with the way you talk. You dont even know them. Have several seats, in fact take the whole stadium"
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19. nguerrero2789@bluur_x
"why am i pathetic? I was defending britt lol"
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20. britfogarty@nguerrero2789
"hahahaha thanks for having my back boo 😘 she must have been angry and read it a little too quick... We all have our blonde moments 👩🏼😋 thanks for the love 💜"
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Editor's note: I'm assigning one number to the tweets from John Boyega and RandomNASCAR_. I'm also quoting a portion of the essence.com article to give these tweets context.
21. From http://www.essence.com/2016/02/02/john-boyega-silences-black-history-month-haters-twitter
"February is always a special month. Not only do we celebrate love on Valentine's day, but we also commit to honoring Black History.
To commemorate the start of this time of year, Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor John Boyega tweeted a simple greeting to his 460,000-plus followers:
John Boyega
✔ @JohnBoyega
Happy black history month X
8:25 AM - 1 Feb 2016
For some of his followers, however, Boyega's message wasn't one worthy of sharing. For those who took the time to challenge the actor, Boyega had clever comebacks to silence them all.
RandomNASCAR_Posts @randomnascar
@JohnBoyega good point lots of great people to remember. Hopefully we'll get to point where we dont even notice colors
8:59 AM - 1 Feb 2016
John Boyega
✔ @JohnBoyega
@randomnascar please take several seats black history is more than that."
-snip-
As a reminder, read my comment about these tweets in the comment section below.
