1Chandra's Diversity
Chandra Cade glanced at her friend Cole Haynes sitting next to her in their high school Social Studies class and she rolled her eyes as the teacher (Ms. Harrington) gave her annual spiel about Black History Month (it was the first of February).
"Class, as you know, Black History Month originated in 1925 as Negro History Week since February contained the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln," Ms. Harrington explained. "In 1976, President Gerald Ford expanded the week to a full month and gave us its present name. All through this month, we will look at various famous African Americans and the differences they made for our country which is why we dedicate a special month to black history."
Chandra and Cole left the class together when the bell rang.
"What's the matter, you don't approve of Black History Month?" Cole asked lightheartedly.
"Not everyone likes the idea of dedicating a month to the subject," Chandra told him.
"You never say that in class," Cole pointed out.
"I don't want to be a troublemaker," Chandra said with a shrug. "Being in the minority and all, but why separate Black History from American History with its own month when it's a year-round subject?"
"Doesn't giving it its own month pay it special attention?" Cole asked.
"Why segregate it?" Chandra wanted to know.
"Black History Month is a way to help people learn about it for a month," Cole replied.
"It's part of world history and full history, not just for a month set aside to marginalize it," Chandra argued.
"We have this debate every year," Cole laughed as they headed for the cafeteria together.
"Unlike most of our classmates, I knew as a 5- or 6-year-old that the Civil War was fought to free the slaves and that today's African American population are their descendants, including me."
"Well, half of you," Cole said, knowing that foolish crack would grate her even more.
"People don't know what to make of me because I'm half-black," she said with disapproval.
"All I know is that you've helped me grow and understand as a person aware of race, equality, diversity, and the history that comes with it," Cole said. "You've given me a more open mind than I would have if we never met."
"No one reads 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' anymore," Chandra complained as they ran their trays along the lunch line rails.
"Roots took over for that," Cole replied.
"I bet most of the kids in this room don't know who Alex Haley is," Chandra pouted.
"I read 'Huckleberry Finn' in fifth grade and, even as a ten-year-old, I knew Jim's persistent longing and the precariousness of his journey was to be free."
"Ten year olds can't read 'Huckleberry Finn' today because of its continuous use of the N-word," Chandra complained. "Let's ban every book there is," she said sarcastically.
They carried their lunch trays to a table in the corner of the cafeteria.
"You're my best education about this stuff," Cole grinned.
"Only because my parents' are educated and could afford to move into your middle-class neighborhood, even though my father is African American," Chandra pointed out.
"That's how I became aware of the prejudice and discrimination you guys faced in our mostly all-white All-American town," Cole admitted.
"That's why Black History Month is a crock," Chandra protested.
"Some will never understand," Cole sighed.
"You do," Chandra replied.
"That's because I've known you since we were six," Cole pointed out. "You're the one who taught me about 'Little Black Sambo' and showed me your coffee-colored dolls."
"They were much more agreeable than the pinkish-white baby dolls at Donovan's Department Store," Chandra said.
"And you taught me about the Uncle Remus stories," Cole said.
"All but lost to history now which is regrettable," Chandra sighed.
"You used to read them to me out loud," Cole recalled.
"People who don't understand race relations and the implications of racism are the same jerks trying to get rid of DEI," Cole commented.
"People with implicit or explicit bias react differently to such situations," Chandra observed. "Look at what happened with my brother."
"I still can't believe the School Resources Officer would be such a disrespectful asshole," Cole grumbled.
"Calling him Julio even though he knew very well his name was Julian," Chandra said. "He thought it was being funny when in reality it was being racist."
"Very disappointing," Cole sighed.
"I know I look different because of the tone of my skin, my hair type, and the fact that I'm 'mixed', perceived to 'acting' both black and white," she said with disapproval. "I have to work harder to beat the stereotypes."
"I don't think you've ever let anybody define you," Cole remarked.
"And I won't!" She said adamantly.
Cole peered at his friend with admiration, appreciating how lucky he was to have her in his life as a friend, mentor, and confidant. Her skin was copper, her hair long and frizzy, her smile full, her figure fit, her personality complete.
"Do you think we would have been friends if you hadn't moved in next door to us?" Cole asked.
"Probably not," Chandra freely admitted. "But I'm glad we are."