By: Valerie Milano – Pasadena, CA (Hollywood Today) 2-20-12

 Black History Month, first established in 1976 by Black American scholar Carter G. Woodson, has long been a way for US citizens to acknowledge the achievements and historical place of blacks in America.

 Last week on February 16th, More than a Month, a 60-minute documentary from up and coming filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman aired on the Emmy Award winning PBS series, Independent Lens. The film explores the question of whether or not Black History Month should be eliminated. Tilghman creates a platform for the highly controversial debate with an analysis of what it means to be “American” dispelling the idea that Black history is separate from American history.

 Taking the form of a road trip that begins in Washington D.C and crosses the country during February of 2010, Tilghman uses cinema verite, on the street interviews and reality based dramatizations to encourage discussion on the topic. With a specific focus on the education, history, identity and commercialism of Black History Month, Tilghman takes us on a journey of self-discovery for himself, and for the Nation as a whole. “ I loved Black History Month growing up. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I started to look around and [see} Heineken’s “Celebrate Black History Month” ad on the bus.” “In a certain way I felt the continued existence of Black History Month was contributing to a perception that the history wasn’t American or somehow not as important as some other American history.”

 Ultimately, Tilghman’s journey leads him to an understanding of Woodson’s original intentions in his creation of the holiday and it’s importance as a way for black citizens to be recognized. Tilghman uses his creativity as a filmmaker to address Black History Month’s modern day relevance but leaves the subject open for public thought and discourse.