As you know, the shortest month in the year was designated as Black history month. Personally, I don’t necessarily buy into BMH because I feel that it’s our responsibility to teach our children our cultural heritage DAILY and not during one particular month.

But who I am I… I have no kids!

Anywhooo, I received the following email from one of my loyal readers who wants your input about an email she received from her child’s school regarding Black History Month:

Hi ATLien

I have a “RANT” I need to put out there in keeping with the spirit of “Black History Month”.? Here goes…My daughter who will be 16 next week attends a private “CATHOLIC” school. Of course she represents the 1% of “us” there. Regardless of that, the school is VERY prestigious and affluent and this is her first year there.

I receive email parent bulletins at the beginning of the week. Well in reading it, they had THIS (see email below) in there. The WHOLE thing is so funny that I’ve been laughing for about an hour behind it.

My question is, should I be offended? It has so many inconsistency’s… i.e. the graffitti (they can keep that for Taco day – IJS), hair braiding, hip-hop dance workshop DURING “club bell”…. Its just too much!

I was hoping you could share with our fellow readers and get their take on it.

*STILL laughing*

Check out the “Black History Month” email she received from her child’s swanky private school below (note: photos posted for effect only):

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

For Black History Month, [*school name removed*] will offer several activities during lunch bells and club bells.

On February 17, 2011, Sisters in Cultural Unity will host a workshop on hair braiding in the Diversity Office during club bell and a graffiti and collage art program after school.

On February 24, 2011, [*school name removed*] Academy Parents of African American Daughters (PAAD) will sponsor a soul food lunch for the students and staff during the lunch periods.

The menu for this annual event: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, ham, greens, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn bread and desserts.

The cost for a full meal is $5; individual dishes $1 each; and desserts 50 cents. PAAD will prepare and serve the food, and all proceeds will benefit the diversity programs at SUA.

Also on February 24, Sisters in Cultural Unity will host a Hip Hop dance workshop during club bell.

Now before you all say this is merely an innocent email, I must remind you that there has often been subtle racist actions taken during Black History month.

Just last year, QuestLove outed the NBC studios cafeteria after they thought it was a great idea to honor Black History Month with a similar menu: fried chicken, collared greens, and jalapeno cornbread.

After NBC caught flack for the racist undertones of the selections, the menu changed significantly…

[Sidebar: It turned out that it was the cook’s idea (a Black woman) and she defended her choice via THIS video and says she had no idea it would offend people.]

The school’s menu in the email blatantly referred to their lunch selection as a “Soul Food” menu and while that isn’t racist per se, the hair braiding workshop and hip-hop classes combined, make it all a bit questionable.

As a parent of a Black student at a mostly Caucasian private school, should she be offended?

What are your thoughts on the private school’s Black History tribute?