Black History Month is coming up soon and it’s that time of the year to celebrate some of the past and presents’ most distinguished figures. That, should go without saying. However, what about the average Joe who lives life every day in ‘black America’? They all have their own aspirations, ambitions, points of views, and their own perspectives on Black History Month or even just the progress of the black community in general. Anthony ONeal, author of Graduate Survival Guide decided it would be fitting to hold a conversation about the black community, with the black community. He just recently launched the Black History Panel.
The Black History Panel includes ONeal and seven guests, all black, all with different careers, upbringings, pasts, ambitions, and unique thoughts on the black community as a whole.
The panel includes ONeal and seven guests, all black, all with different careers, upbringings, pasts, ambitions, and unique thoughts on the black community as a whole. Simply put, the entire segment is just a conversation. The Black History Panel is a space for people cut from similar cloths to air things out in a civilized and respectable setting. ONeal asks questions to his guests regarding specifics on black culture, black issues, their history and how far they’ve come, and whether or not they hold one another accountable for their shortcomings. Everyone has an opinion, which makes the panel interesting and keeps the room from just being an echo chamber.
ONeal makes fascinating content with the release of this panel. He asks insightful questions and the guests respond with intelligent, well supported answers. It’s shot like an interview, the guests all on one side with ONeal sitting opposite. Apart from that, there’s no unnecessary editing or add-ins. The discussion is enough, and they indeed have quite the discussion. There are definitely some passionate moments where the guests involve themselves more vigorously. When asked whether or not black people play the victim for instance, chords are struck and almost everyone decides to throw their hat into the chat. As the talk moves into more sensitive areas they are just as in engaged in the topic, even where it’s understandable as to why certain things might be hard to confront. Through it all, ONeal gives them the freedom to speak unfiltered, sitting back as a good listener with barely any need to moderate or interfere. Everyone participating makes the Black History Panel a talk worth having, and from the outside looking in, a talk worth listening to.
This is sure to stir up conversation elsewhere in the community as well as with others who sit outside of it. Some will agree with much of what is said, some will shrug it off as immaterial, and others will see a new outlook that maybe wasn’t seen before. Whichever side viewers sit on, this panel shouldn’t be missed, and it’s one that others should seek to take part in if given the chance. ONeal has a version of the panel on his Facebook page in parts, otherwise the full uncut version can be found on YouTube. Set aside an hour and fifteen minutes to hear a wise group of people.
