Black History Month is great, but let’s celebrate other cultures as well

What's great about "Black History Month" is that we learn a lot about the African American culture: art, food, music, theater, etc. which is wonderful.

You can argue that the knowledge learned during this month of February may have improved race relations, or at least given us a better understanding of the plight and accomplishments of African Americans in this country. What if we honored other ethnic backgrounds as well?

It's during this time of divisiveness in America that we need to understand as many of our diverse backgrounds as possible. I'm thinking we should have other months dedicated to the other nationalities as well. As many New Jersey politicians have been saying  "We are a nation of immigrants" and maybe it's time we learn about the accomplishments of all of them — or should I say us?

Imagine an "Italian History Month" where we honor the accomplishments of Italian-Americans like Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen (yes he is Italian) Dean Martin, Jon Bon Jovi — the singing list is endless. Politicians like Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman vice presidential candidate; Ella Grasso, the first woman elected as state governor, or Nancy Pelosi, first woman speaker of the House. Mario Cuomo, the first Italian-American governor of New York...not to mention, the food, culture, art, music ad theater.

We can also have an "Native American Month" "Irish History Month," Polish History Month" or Jewish History Month as well as Latino History Month, Asian History Month and Muslim history month.

The point is, all of our ancestors and recent immigrants who came to this country with nothing but a dream made solid contributions to making America what it is today. I think like "Black History Month," the more we know about them, the better we'll all get along. Right now more than ever, we need to get along.

Steve Trevelise is on the air from Monday-Thursday, 7 to 11 p.m. Tweet him @realstevetrev or @nj1015.

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