Shukree Tilghman

It’s February, time to take a moment –– or a day or a week or the whole month –– to recognize, honor, and celebrate the unique and multi-faceted history of the African in America.

At least that’s what I thought February was about. Turns out I was wrong.

This seems an appropriate time to mention that I am smack in the middle of making an ITVS-funded documentary film, More Than A Month, which follows me on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month (BHM). Through the lens of this journey, the film takes a critical, and sometimes comedic look at what it means that we have a black history month and what it would mean if we didn’t.

Well, I have some interesting news to report from the field: Black History Month has ended.

I don’t mean it’s March 1, I mean BHM has ceased to exist. That’s right. It’s over. Gone. Caput. I cannot tell you exactly when it ended, but it’s gone. And despite the film and the campaign within –– I didn’t do it (so don’t go pointing the finger at me). But you can follow the journey at morethanamonth.org. Okay, enough shameless plugs. Back to the point.

All evidence that I have collected so far, from “man on the street” interviews, to spending time at a black advertising agency and with BHM planning committees, to attending BHM events, points to a somewhat sudden truth. February is no longer Black History Month. Nope. It’s Black PEOPLE Month… meaning anything that has to with black life and culture is fair game in February. Anything.

Are you a black author? February book tour!

A black designer? February fashion show!

A black out of work actor? Don’t worry. February presents a plethora of opportunities for you, and most of them won’t be historical in nature so you can avoid the awkwardness of playing a “servant.” Well…most of you.

Are you a semi-famous political commentator with a take on racism? CNN has gigs for you, player!

A black chef? At least one national grocery store chain is sponsoring in-store “soul food tasting events”…in February!

Are you a diversity trainer? Seriously, February is your month. Seriously.

Are you black and in a corporate environment? Sooner or later, someone is going to ask you what “we” should do for February. You could make up anything. Really. Try it. I went with free Black History Month haircuts at a local black Barber Shop. Then I saw it actually exists! Check it out >>

Do you like black people? Prove it. Do something in February! (Again, anything. It doesn’t really matter). Even if you’re a black filmmaker making a film critical of these practices, you can write a blog about it… in February!

The weird thing about all this is that it’s hard to say exactly what is wrong with these practices. (I can hear some of my more militant people going “What? I can tell you a hundred things wrong with it!” Bear with me). On the surface, it’s the celebration of a people, of a culture. What’s wrong with that? Nothing.

But, there’s a thin, sometimes indistinguishable line between honor, celebration, and being put in a box, one’s culture chained to a particular month. And, if anyone should be vigilant about being chained…okay, bad joke. But seriously, because the history of Africans in America is rife with the struggle to be seen, respected, valued as human, as citizen, as American, we have a particular responsibility to protect this reality. It is not only the responsibility of African Americans, but all Americans. Because if any of our cultures give way to the myth of “white” as the default and everybody else has a little designated spot, then it threatens all of us –– my white folks included –– because it doesn’t reflect the truth of our existence. We, Americans, are a special blend of folks with a history at once violent and corrupt while filled with awe inspiring grace and strength. How we treat the story of our people, the story of us, tells not only who we were, but who we are.

Let’s not forget the original point. It’s Black History Month people. History. There’s a reason it started that way, with a specific mission to ensure the inclusion of African American history into the American History narrative in education and society, in the hopes that one day Black History Month itself would not be necessary. It seems Black History Month has ended, but I’m not sure if what has taken its place is truly serving this original mission. Hmmm.

That said, I’m on my way to get one of those free haircuts. It’s free, people. Free.

- Shukree Tilghman
Filmmaker of More Than a Month

In celebration of Black History Month, ITVS and PBS are offering a special slate of new and encore programs throughout February. Select programs are also available on the PBS video player. Be sure to check out the Independent Lens documentary February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four, which looks at the pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement when four college students staged a sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960. Also, be sure to check out last year’s Independent Lens Audience Award winner Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene, which tells the unlikely story of America’s original shock-jock, Petey Greene, who battled the system and his own demons during a time of civil unrest in the nation’s capital.

Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes and P-Star Rising, both Independent Lens documentaries, will be available online February 10.

Visit the PBS video player >>

Nine-year-old Pricilla from P-Star Rising, airing Feb. 9 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS.

Mine, premiering Feb. 16 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS.

ITVS and PBS offers viewers the opportunity to explore the rich and vibrant history and cultural contributions of African Americans throughout the year, but this month offers a special slate of new and encore programs in honor of Black History Month.

Independent Lens brings race to the forefront with four new films in February. Herskovits at the Heart of Blackness, debuting Feb. 2, explores the often-overlooked legacy of Jewish anthropologist Melville Herskovits, whose ideas in the 40s and 50s challenged the accepted assumptions about race and culture. Then, tune in on Feb. 9 for P-Star Rising, which looks at nine-year-old Pricilla who wants to be the youngest female rap star ever and her single father who is determined to help her make it big. This film also closes out the special line-up of compelling films as part of Independent Lens’s Music Month.

A third film, Mine, premiering Feb. 16, tells the poignant and powerful story of animals left behind during Katrina, and of the struggles of hurricane victims to reunite with their beloved pets. Finally, Behind the Rainbow, airing Feb. 23, unearths once-hidden realities of South Africa’s political obstacles on the path to democracy.

Other ITVS films airing this month on PBS include: February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four, which looks at the pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement when four college students staged a sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960, and Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968, which investigates the continued cover-up of the tragedy of 1968 on the campus of South Carolina State University and follows ongoing efforts to seek justice.

Get local broadcast information >>

Thousands of hours of PBS programming are available on the PBS Video Portal, including a special collection for Black History Month.

Visit PBS Video >>

Watch these video clips of upcoming new Independent Lens programs (check local listings):

Herskovits at the Heart of Blackness, Feb. 2 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS

P-Star Rising, Feb. 9 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS

Mine, Feb. 16 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS

Behind the Rainbow, Feb. 23 at 10:00 PM on Independent Lens on PBS

Check out the clip below with filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman, who received Open Call funds for MORE THAN A MONTH, a tongue-in-cheek film about his cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. The film looks at what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America. Learn more about his film, which filmmakers inspire him and the challenges of exploring this topic.

Find more information about Open Call funding >>