TheApple

A recent article questions the validity of Black History month in today's time, citing,

Many have long argued that African-American history should be incorporated into year-round education.

 

What do you think?

The problem with Black History Month is that it tends to make the other 11 White History Months. The history of whites cannot be seperated from the history of blacks, reds, yellows or any other shade you can name. People is people and we all share this planet.What any one of us does affects the other five or so billion; our presents, pasts and futures are inseperable from each other's. Pretending anything else is an artifice.

History is history, and we all share the same one.

I agree with Deven also and I am African American.  I just think that like dhastings said, it was needed because the biggest problem was that black children in America, for years, did not see their own faces in history books. They barely knew they were a part of American history. Black history was set up to help them realize that they matter too.  Black Americans contributed greatly to this country even fighting in wars. I don't think any one race should be singled out  but I do think all races should be fairly acknowledged. If black people are fairly acknowledged in history books along with every other race that was a part of American history, then a holiday is not  needed.  I don't believe in excluding people. It just defeats our purpose which should be unity and equality for all citizens.

What a La La land that some of us live in.  If African-American history was included in the history curriculum of American schools as a part of the students daily learning, there would be no need for a Black History Month.  Yes, everyone group history should be studied together, but Wake Up, it's NOT.  I have not encountered a history textbook yet that equally incorporates the historical content of other people other than  white people.  Most white people in this country can not verbalize much if any knowledge on the vast contributions made to this country by African-Americans other than Martin Luther King, Jr. ,and there are still a lot of African-Americans that do not know their own historical contributions either.  That means there is still a lot of work to be done.  I would wager that most of the responders to this poll could not name or provide much knowledge on the history of African-Americans in this country.  As a thirteen year, education veteran who is African-American, I find it irritating that we try to pretend that some big strides have been made in the classroom related to this topic. The fact that Black History Month is in February is not important; it just happens to be the month because Carter Woodson chose a week out of that month.  

When or if the day happens that the history books in classrooms are "all inclusive" and provide more than a few sentences or a paragraph in the textbook content, then yes, do away with Black History Month, but for now the month IS needed, not was. 

If you really want to learn about it, get off your_______ , go to a library, and get the knowledge.  I make it a point to delibrately incorporate African-American and Hispanic-American history in my classroom so that white, black, and any other students of color learn what they are NOT going to be exposed to in their future education until they reach a college where they can choose to learn the knowledge in a class.

 The emphasis on Black History has gone overboard. We don't "celebrate" any other group's history in the United States as much as we do Black History. Martin Luther King's birthday is celebrated, but we don't celebrate anyone else's birthday. He's the greatest American ever? Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt...etc. aren't as important as he was?

This is just another example of how our priorities are mixed up. 

As a descendant of African Slaves, Indentured Servants, and Eastern Woodlands cultures I find it disturbing that people who arrived in some cases (millinea in the case of Natives) and centuries (in the case of African Slaves) have the audacity to criticize celebrations such as Black History Month.

Yes, world there is an ethnic American culture. America did not become a majority "White" nation until the mid-19th century. Before then (study the early colonies-also ethnic cultures from the Gulf and out west) was a mix of Native, African, and European. Living together sometimes in peace, but most times in conflict. These clashes brought forth ethnic Americans like myself. My maternal ancestors was from England, and indentured servant, and had children with a Slave or free Black. I also have good evidence I am a descendant of at least two eastern woodland cultures. Black History Month, along with the 4th of July and Thanksgiving are true American holidays that remind us of our struggles as a nation and our successes.

These struggles and successes made sure that peole who arrived in the 19th, 20, and now 21st centuries have the rights they enjoy as Americans today. This nation is not this good just because it took a hell of alot to get it here! So please let's get our history in check before criticizing an truly AMERICAN commemoration. While others share a common citizenship and nationality with the founders of this nation, I share a common heritage very ugly that resulted in something very beautiful. Why is it those who arrived later are allowed to celebrate openly their heritage but ethnic Americans who are descendants of Africans and Natives are always criticized?

We have too long been Eurocentric in our approach to history.  It's time we stopped approaching history as if white men made the only significant contributions to American progress and development and/or any contributions made by other-ethnics and women were inconsequential.  If we are all created "equal," why do we approach education from such a totally segregated and segmented vantage point?  As was pointed out earlier, "people is people."  Each individual has a purpose and a contribution to make, not because of skin color, ethnic heritage, or gender; so let's give "people" their due!

 

"FYI, Black History Month is about ethnic an American culture. It is about Americans who no matter how hard it was in their country stayed. No matter how foreigners were allowed to come in and marginalize their rights, stayed and did not flee. So please do not compare Black History Month to those who came after and benefited from the unique American struggle."   ~ teach_by_example

Dear Teach By Example, 

 

    I am not certain that I am understanding your meaning by this statement.  I'm wondering who you are blaming, for what... I think there is a flaw in this logic, however, until I clearly understand your meaning, I am forgoing 'judgment' .  I would like to say that I do not blame "foreigners" for "marginalizing" my rights or my freedoms.  Those rights and freedoms are why we attract people from other countries, and it seems to me that these "foreigners" are the very reason our rights and freedoms expand.  Oh, and btw, the early settlers survived because of the help they got from native americans (are they "foreigners" in your opinion?)....otherwise, not having a choice to go anywhere, they would have died.   Where would they have gone?  Wait.  Maybe you mean some of the early settlers could have gotten mad and moved to Australia???

The problem is that curriculums won't change and in many cases there will be no inclusion of Black History. We must ask if history texts are going to change to include acurate black history. Plus, in most cases the majority of teachers are not black and black history would not be in there concious. We are not yet ready as a nation. Hopefully in time we will be.

Hey, edgyk8inmomma!

You've named 9 additional topics for discussion that could use the eyes and the minds of our young students (in addition to Black History Month).   Hmmm...seems to me this topic deserves a course/class of it's own!   However, if we elect to remove Black History Month from accepted curriculum, are you certain that "we will integrate all of these areas of study into our curriculum" ???  Afterall, we adopted this subject in the first place because it was not getting the attention it deserved.  And, thus far, the other topics you listed fail to be focused upon as imperative and pertinent ...  what makes us think that we will focus on any topic that isn't lifted-up for scrutinization?   There is so much to learn, so much to teach, so much to understand and absorb...  how can we do it all justice?  Only when one groups stands up and shouts, "We want the vote!", or "This is our land!", or "We won't take this any longer!", only then do our collective eyes turn to see who's making that rukus.  Each of the groups you named needs our attention.  Every human right that has been shattered requires our attention. 

Perhaps we should teach a class called "Cruelty and Compassion" ... phhht!  we're capable of expansion ~ so why not >>>e x p a n d>>>

rather than eliminate?

I am actually asking that question.  What are the arguments against including by expanding?

debo says ...

Hey, edgyk8inmomma!

You've named 9 additional topics for discussion that could use the eyes and the minds of our young students (in addition to Black History Month).   Hmmm...seems to me this topic deserves a course/class of it's own!   However, if we elect to remove Black History Month from accepted curriculum, are you certain that "we will integrate all of these areas of study into our curriculum" ???  Afterall, we adopted this subject in the first place because it was not getting the attention it deserved.  And, thus far, the other topics you listed fail to be focused upon as imperative and pertinent ...  what makes us think that we will focus on any topic that isn't lifted-up for scrutinization?   There is so much to learn, so much to teach, so much to understand and absorb...  how can we do it all justice?  Only when one groups stands up and shouts, "We want the vote!", or "This is our land!", or "We won't take this any longer!", only then do our collective eyes turn to see who's making that rukus.  Each of the groups you named needs our attention.  Every human right that has been shattered requires our attention. 

Perhaps we should teach a class called "Cruelty and Compassion" ... phhht!  we're capable of expansion ~ so why not >>>e x p a n d>>>

rather than eliminate?

I am actually asking that question.  What are the arguments against including by expanding?

 

Debo, you made interesting and valid points in reference to my thoughts...I know it has been a while since I've been here, but I thought I would answer your questions.

first, that piece of my post you quoted was an error on my part...it was supposed to be a rhetorical question...will we integrate these? It was a posed challenge for educators to accept and own...unfortunately, it did not recieve the attention and support I had hoped for.

second, I completely agree with your stance on expansion...however I am not sure it is possible. Too many bureaucrats have their hands in the pudding and the mix is being spoiled before educators ever have the chance to taste it. For a century now, since the progressive movements, reform efforts have been snubbed by the ones in power of this fragile institution. We educators, unfortunately, have little to say to change the course of events. However, we do have the ability to do the best we can with what we are given to work with...and that was the point I was trying to make.

Thank you for your response:)