Editor:
In response to “Embrace Black History Month challenges” (Reading Eagle, Feb. 19), I understand the desire of Black Americans to celebrate their history. I also understand why other groups such as German Americans and Latino Americans have a desire to, and do, celebrate their heritage.
The unique monthlong Black history celebration began more than 50 years ago in 1969, during a period when many recognition and opportunity reparations gave preferential treatment to Black Americans. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 resulted in many organizations providing, and continuing to provide, opportunity reparations to Black Americans.
These reparations were made in response to ancestral slavery and associated injustices over 100 years or so. Many Black Americans took advantage of the resulting opportunities to improve their living standards and increase their contribution to society. I celebrate their efforts. Some Black Americans did not work to improve their situation and instead highlighted past injustices and implemented an entitlement mentality. Today these are the people who are promoting another round of reparations, this time consisting of monetary rewards for injustices to their ancestors who lived hundreds of years ago.
This is the Black history that I, and many other Americans, know firsthand. We look forward to the day when the entitlement approach fades such that recognition and opportunity reparations are no longer needed and monetary reparations are no longer demanded.
Until then, I prefer not to be challenged by the Reading Eagle to further engage in Black History Month.
Jay Leininger
Wernersville
Source: Berkshire mont
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