Black History Month is an attempt to address the omissions, inaccuracies and distorted history of Blacks in the US. It is a means of trying to fill in the gaps that were intentionally woven into the biased and Eurocentric telling and recording of history. It is important that all students learn of the generations of Black heroes and sheroes and everyday hard working Black people who toiled for hundreds of years in this country, since they were first captured and brought to these foreign shores. Black History Month is an opportunity to showcase and highlight the history and contributions of Black people.
However, for it to have relevance and meaning it must be connected appropriately to the larger traditional narrative of US history that is too often still taught in schools. This narrative continues to elevate and celebrate the European “explorers and conquerors”, denigrate, diminish or negate the Indigenous Native American population and dehumanize Africans and minimize the horrors of slavery Blacks experienced in this country. The manner in which US history is taught must be dismantled and taught from an inclusive perspective, looking at the legacy, historical facts and stories of all people and groups who make up the American landscape and story. African/Black History should be embedded in all aspects of the curriculum year round, Only then will having designated months such as African American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc. function as a resource instead of the main source of information about the history of those populations.
Share your thoughts... What does Black History Month mean to you?
For me, Black History Month is much like thanksgiving weekends. It's an opportunity to take advantage of time given to reflect on where we are now and empower one another to do more. I use thanksgiving as a comparative because the history of both are harmful. There is only one America so there ought to only be one true history. There was Black history week over 100 years ago that died out just as today's Black History month is fading out in schools. It is a slap in the faces of our ancestors, as if to say that our history lacks abundance to justify being taught throughout the year.
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