Celebration of Black History Month and Dalit History Month, A fight of Courage, A fight for Justice

February is the Month of Black history Month, Black history Month celebrated as whole Month of February by remembering the Contribution of all those who wanted to make America a Racism free Society,where Society don't discriminate on the Basis of Colour, like Dalit celebrate whole month of April by remembering the Contribution of those who fought for the rights and dignity for the Oppressed and Marginalised people.

The celebration of the contributions of African Americans began in 1926 with Negro History Week (the term that was later replaced by “Black” or “African American”).The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation's bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That year, fifty years after the first celebration, the association held the first Black History Month. By this time, the entire nation had come to recognize the importance of Black history in the drama of the American story. Since then each American president has issued Black History Month proclamations. 

The week was timed to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, signer of the Emancipation Proclamation, and Frederick Douglass, who fought against slavery and became a social reformer after his own escape from enslavement.On February 10, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford issued a message recognizing Black History Month, becoming the first President to do so.

The moment was decades in the making.In subsequent years, Presidents have continued to share their own messages honoring Black History Month. In 1986, Congress passed a Public Law officially designating February as National Black History Month. Activists and historians started important conversations about not only the legacies of the American Revolution, but which groups were traditionally included or excluded from stories of the nation’s history. And Since 1976 Presidents of the USA have also brought statements on Black history month as a "President Proclamation", The theme of this year's celebration of celebrating Black History Month is “African Americans and Labor”.

Black & Dalit community are intrinsically linked by the common goal of liberation. This powerful connection has, for decades, allowed caste-oppressed and Black communities to learn from each other and inspire the growth of each other’s movements.Building power by creating global networks across communities is not a new phenomenon.

Decades ago, Dr. Ambedkar & W.E.B. Du Bois wrote to each other (despite the geographical distance between them) and  shared the struggle for justice & freedom from Casteism, Untouchability, Discrimination, Slavery. Black History Month is to remember and celebrate the legacy of those who fought against Racism, Who fought against Slavery, to celebrate the Resistance of "Person of Color".

Black History Month is celebrated to Show the history of Resistance, there is bondage between Black Resistance and Ambedkarites, Black Liberation mirrors the dream of equality for Oppressed peoples. We know that both of these struggles stem from the same places: Racism, Casteism, Untouchability, white supremacy, Patriarchy, & economic inequality.Black history is the Resistance for human dignity, reclamation of human rights,Self Respect.For generations, Black people of America have remained resilient in the face of unspeakable brutality and injustice.this Month Celebrates the legacy of their bravery and resistance.

Many Whites of America have also Acknowledged the historical, injustices, wrongs which have happened with Blacks of America, and some of them fought along with Blacks people of America against Slavery and Racism.Whereas in India we hardly see Privileged groups acknowledging the historical wrongs which have happened against Dalits of India, One will find hard that privileged group fighting against Casteism along with Dalits. Whites in America celebrate Black history Month along with Black people, In India How many privileged groups people Celebrate Dalit History Month along with Dalits ?

In America, President himself/herself brings official statement on the Black History Month and acknowledge the historical Wrongs and celebrate the legacy of Resistance of Black People.Racism in America and Casteism in India had segregated the historically Marginalized groups since ages.Black people suffered from Racism and Dalits in India suffered from Casteism, Untouchability.

There is certain kind of Bond which Black and Dalit shares, i,e Bond of Resistance, Bond of Courage.Both these people suffered worst kind of Humiliation, segregation, Discrimination.One thing Dalits suffered more than their Black kin is Untouchability.Some isWhites of America have Acknowledged the Historical injustices which Black people went through, but Privileged groups in India is lacking behind in it.

All American institutions celebrate February as a month of Courage , Resistance of Black people, but in India how many Privileged groups people celebrates our Dr. Ambedkar Birthday, and Celebrate Dalit History Month in April.Dr. Ambedkar who is an architect of Indian Constitution, who not only fought for the rights of marginalized and Oppressed communities but ensured the Justice, Equality for all Communities in India, Dr. Ambedkar given rights and Justice to all Women in India.But the women from the privileged group failed to give due respect to Dr. Ambedkar. the Feminism of privileged group women of India does not recognise the Contribution of Dalit Women also, in Feminism of Privileged Group, Dalit Women found Unsuitable.

For Privileged group Dalit issues don't suit them. Privileged group become outraged and protest when there is a crime, atrocities against persons from privileged group. But we haven't seen them  getting outraged and protesting for the crimes which are being Committed against Dalits on daily basis.we have seen in Hathras, we have seen in Khairlanji. Dalits are still waiting for justice which has not been delivered yet. Crime is Crime and that should be condemned against whomever and against whichever communities it is happening but for Dalits there is no one to speak. Left, Right, Centerist, Socialist Organisations in University Campuses also don't feel worthy to speak or protest when Crime happens with Dalits.

Like America does, Government of India Should also celebrate Dalit History Month in the Month of April to Acknowledge the Struggles of People Who Fought against Casteism, Untouchability, Discrimination. In USA Women like Rosa Parks fought against Racism, segregation, slavery, White supremacy.where as in India Dalit Women like Mukta Bai Salve fought against Casteism, Untouchability, Segregation.Both Dalit and Black people fight is the fight of Courage in sufferings,resilience in times of adversity, Fight for Self Respect, fight for Human dignity , Fight for Equality and Fight for Justice.

The Author Akhilesh Kumar is an Ambedkarite Activist and  a PhD scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia University, specializing in the Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies. His doctoral research focuses on "Conceptualising Marginality :Dr. Ambedkar and the Women's Question’.