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I've heard some people say that it is no longer needed. I've heard some people say that it is discriminatory in regard to many people would be upset with a comparable white history month. Some people say it is taught year round and there is no need for a single month...or that having a month divides us.
I would argue that black history month still has a place. It should be taught in a positive and uplifting way.
Black History Month was originally Black History Week. It was created by an African-American historian Dr. Woodson in the 1920s. He picked as the 2nd week of February due to the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Take Frederick Douglass, born a slave in poverty. Never knowing for sure who his father was, many told him it was his white slave master. Never truly knowing his mother as his mother was sent away from him at age 1. Yet he taught himself, tried to escape, failed, tried again...succeeded. Became the first black to graduate from Harvard. Met with Lincoln, debated Lincoln, disagreed with Lincoln, befriended Lincoln... He worked hard. Got help from people all over including whites. He became a true success story up from poverty to high success. His son fought in the famous 54th Massachusetts.
If taught right, these are powerful stories of the past, stories of perseverance, hard work, unifying, and the wrongs of the past so as not to be repeated today. Students of all races can learn the true American story with this month.
I've heard some people say that it is no longer needed. I've heard some people say that it is discriminatory in regard to many people would be upset with a comparable white history month. Some people say it is taught year round and there is no need for a single month...or that having a month divides us.
I would argue that black history month still has a place. It should be taught in a positive and uplifting way.
Black History Month was originally Black History Week. It was created by an African-American historian Dr. Woodson in the 1920s. He picked as the 2nd week of February due to the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Take Frederick Douglass, born a slave in poverty. Never knowing for sure who his father was, many told him it was his white slave master. Never truly knowing his mother as his mother was sent away from him at age 1. Yet he taught himself, tried to escape, failed, tried again...succeeded. Became the first black to graduate from Harvard. Met with Lincoln, debated Lincoln, disagreed with Lincoln, befriended Lincoln... He worked hard. Got help from people all over including whites. He became a true success story up from poverty to high success. His son fought in the famous 54th Massachusetts.
If taught right, these are powerful stories of the past, stories of perseverance, hard work, unifying, and the wrongs of the past so as not to be repeated today. Students of all races can learn the true American story with this month.
What do you guys say?
I agree. Blacks have played an enormous part in the development of culture in the US, particularly where I'm from. There are many aspects of black culture that define my region, and I personally wouldn't want to do without. Namely, food, music, and speech pattern. Black culture mixed with white culture is responsible for the blues, jazz, bluegrass, country music, and rock and roll. I have no problem with focusing on this for a month.
These days everyone has a history/heritage month and there's plenty to learn from the experiences of different groups. Although maybe not needed, I believe they are positive.
No one has looked at a current US History book or literature anthology used in English classes? In both Black history has been infused throughout the curriculum, throughout the course year.
No one has looked at a current US History book or literature anthology used in English classes? In both Black history has been infused throughout the curriculum, throughout the course year.
Not in a decade, but I still don't have a problem with focusing on the contributions of certain groups from time to time.
Not in a decade, but I still don't have a problem with focusing on the contributions of certain groups from time to time.
Which is done now, primarily Black and/or Hispanic contributions to the Arts/History/Literature/Science, throughout the school year.
The problem begins with Black History Month when school systems mandate that the regular curriculum be dropped for the entire month of February. That becomes critical with the current testing environment.
As a note, the last US History text I used before I retired spent almost as much time on the Japanese internment in California as it did with the rest of WW II.
I have no issue with black history month. I only care when it is used as a political statement or if less than factual history is taught. Blacks have contributed to our nation. Many are genuine war heroes and many were and are great scholars. There is no need to exaggerate, embellish or inflate the actual history.
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if only it were more on the positive side and less on the negative
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