Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African-American filmmaker, questions the existence and relevance of Black History Month in his documentary titled “More Than a Month,” airing on “Independent Lens” at 10 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 on WHYY.
Hosted by Mary Louise Parker, the film takes the form of a road trip that begins in Washington, D.C., crisscrosses the country during Black History Month 2010, and ends with an epilogue one year later. Combining “cinema verite,” man-on-the-street interviews and inspired dramatizations, the film is a first person narrative of the filmmaker’s “quest to understand the implications of Black History Month.”
According to Independent Television Service (ITVS) Tilghman begins his research at home, but finds his parents dismayed when he suggests eliminating Black History Month. He then seeks a “deeper understanding” of Carter G. Woodson, the creator of Negro History Week, the predecessor to Black History Month. To this end, he reaches out to Woodson’s organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. They, too, respond with horror at his suggestion. At Harvard, Tilghman collaborates on a psychological study exploring how Black History Month makes Blacks and whites feel about themselves and their place in American History. In Chicago, Tilghman visits Burrell Communications, the nation’s largest Black owned advertising agency, to investigate whether corporate sponsorship and advertisements during Black History Month are just an excuse to sell products to Black consumers.
“This film, and the discussion within, isn’t really about whether Black History Month should or shouldn’t exist,” Tilghman said in an open letter. “That question has been asked and answered on both sides over and over again.
“The real question is, what does it mean if Black History Month were no more? Would Black history itself disappear, never to be seen again? Or would it pave the way for a fervent new mission to ensure the inclusion of Black history in education and society in all months, a continuation of the original mission that Dr. Woodson had for Black History Month?
“Some say that the continued exposure of African American history can happen while maintaining the celebration of black history in February. I think that would be great, but I also think the time for that has passed. February is so synonymous with anything ‘black’ that groups from television programmers to grocery stores to community institutions cannot resist the practice of using February as the month to do their ‘black’ thing – be it having a sale or airing ‘More Than a Month.’”
Contact entertainment reporter Kimberly C. Roberts at (215) 893-5753 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
