Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 March 2006 — Page 2

Page 2 • The Muncie Times • March 2, 2006

EDITORIAL

Black History Month celebration reminds us of common heritage, decency Normally, we run our Movements. created equal or will it their skin or their gen- and residents. We also African American Both women played retreat into its and his- der. Then, and only strongly believe that History editorials dur- pivotal roles and torically pathetic past then, will it be possible the celebration of ing the first and third became icons in the when it embraced for the United States to African American Thursdays of February, pivotal struggles for racism and gender dis- pose, and be domesti- History Month is not to We have done that civil rights and civil crimination? Only time cally and globally separate blacks from since February 1990. liberties in the United will tell. accepted as the world the totality of U.S. hisWe have not done so far States. Their leader- We hope the United champion of democra- tory. Instead it is to this year. It was not a ship, counsel and wis- States, as it preaches cy, equality, racial, eth- demand that Afrcan deliberate omission. dom will be sorely the gospel of global nic, national and gender American history We were thrown off missed in the days, democracy abroad, will equality. That will, should be an inseparabalance because we had weeks, months and also practice democra- indeed, be the happiest ble part of the totality to deal with topical years ahead as the cy at home.We hope we day for all the peoples of inclusive American issues, i.e. the United States struggles are boldly marching of the world. history. When the time deaths of Coretta with its soul over what into a future where peo- It is in that context comes, and we hope it Scott King and Rosa kind of country it seeks pie will, quoting the that we look at and cel- will be soon, when Parks, known, respec- to be. Will it live late Dr. Martin Luther ebrate African there is diversity in tively, as the queen of according to the King Jr., be judged American History American history--so the struggle for civil Constitution, which according to the con- Month. Officially, the that it includes the rights and the "mother" boldly declares that all tent of their character recognition of February innumerable contribuof the Civil Rights men (and women) are and not the color of as Black History Month tions of African

means that celebration Americans, Asian ended earlier this week. Americans, However, we refuse to Hispanic/Latino buy into that. We refuse Americans, Native to believe that the Americans and other shortest month in the groups, then and only calendar should also be then will American histhe one set aside to cel- tory be complete and ebrate the so many con- the United States will tributions that people of be able to take its in the African descent have annals of history as the made to the world and leader in trying to to global civilization establish a domestic and progress. and global example of At The Muncie Times people from all corners we remain committed of the world living and top a civil vision: that working peacefully American history is together as universal essentially incomplete citizens. That is someand incongruent as long thing worth struggling as it heaps praise on for so that the world, whites and Europe, and the domestic conwhile ignoring the stituency, can underequally impressive con- stand our common tributions made to this decency and inter-

country by the coun- dependency,

try's nonwhite citizens

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MUNCIE TIMES STAFF

ruD,lsner Bea Moten-Foster John Lambkun Advertising Moten-Foster Layout/Typesetting Adrian Barrett Contributors: T.S. Kumbula, Maurice EL-Taylor, Nicole Johnson,

Hurley C. Goodall, Bernice Powell Jackson, and Marc H. Modal

Administrative Assistant Castelow

The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303 It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie.

All editorial correspondence should be addressed to:

The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303.

Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.