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In recent years, African Americans have sought answers and begun to uncover hidden history about their own contributions in the Americas. What they've learned, above all else, is how their own history has been wiped clean from history books. They learned that despite the dire news of headlines and studies, African Americans have made vitally important contributions to American society. They've learned of the personal and public struggle to be recognized as whole humans, and of the importance of education so that today's black children can excel. If black children are to have a culturally strong sense of self, if other children are to see them as whole and intelligent contributors to society, then this is the history that must be passed on.
The theme for the 2007 Black History Month is "from slavery to freedom." History provides educators a chance to draw threads from the past into the present, squarely placing all of us in the continuum of history. We are making history today, but what kind of history are we making?
Today, many children, particularly black children, are acutely aware of the disparities that exist in their communities, in the fields of education, employment, healthcare, housing and technology, among others. The answer is not to ignore these realities if we are to be free of them.
Unless students can see how black history is connected to their own lives, they will not fully engage with a superficial study of "heroes and holidays" each February. In fact, such an approach inadvertently results in stereotyping. Instead, all students, no matter their race or ethnic background, can benefit from understanding the historical reasons for the disparities that plague our communities.
In order to have a successful Black History Month, let your students know that black history is American history. History-makers are not just the heroes we celebrate, they are also ordinary people, and they are young people. In this edition of the ABCs (Anti-Bias Classroom), Teaching Tolerance offers advice on how to make Black History Month relevant.
Ilouise Bradford, Tafeni English, Jennifer Holladay, Carrie Kilman, Jeff Sapp, Rhonda Thomason and Victoria Williams contributed to this edition of the ABCs.
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