I believe that teaching African American History in our schools is crucial to the continuing growth of the United States as a country.
By definition, ours is a country that finds its strength from a diverse population base. We became great as a sum of many different parts. In the past, though, scholastic history books have, at best, given nominal mention to great men and women of color. Without the recognition of role models - and the understanding that "I could be great like them," we have failed more than half our population. And I think that fact plays a significant role in some of the intra-cultural problems we have faced as a country.
The recent election is an important reflection of this. Now, African American children know that yes, they can be president, too! President Obama's election, I think, will force curriculum writers to reassess the way they present historical figures of color.
My own experience of homogeneous history was very one-sided. I found the statement, "History belongs to the strong" to be true, even in our own country's history. For generations, a severely censored and one-sided account of the events that made us the United States was the only history our children were taught. Unfortunately, history was presented very much driven by the great men of white European decent. But my early historical training lacked anything about anyone not white, upper middle class and following the status quo of capitalistic thought. I'd heard names - Martin Luther King Jr.,George Washington Carver, Dr. Charles Richard Drew .. they were simply names, with simplistic, one-sentence mentions in my history book. Obviously not as important as the white men who had "made" history.
It wasn't until I reached college that I realized my education had been sorely one-sided. My very limited historical upbringing left me ignorant of some of the most significant discoveries and happenings in my own country's history. I was saddened that I'd missed so much. And I longed to know what apparently someone thought I didn't need.
This intentional stripping of history - of many of the black, native, Latino and other influences has existed for far too long in our country. While great strides have been made over the last couple of decades, history is still broken down into racial avenues that are unnecessary. This country was built upon the backs of people from every nationalities. People from every race, every religious belief, both sexes and various economic positions and doctrines have had a part in building this nation. Why should the way we teach history be segregated and relegated to a certain race?
Currently, I believe the only way to break the stronghold of racism on history is to teach African American history. Or Latino history. Or women in history. Sadly, without bringing to the forefront of historical discussion a specific group, that group runs the risk of being washed over by history the way its always been taught.
With my own children, I've had the luxury of drawing from a variety of books, movies, essays and the like that reflect a balance and a true integration of American history among the races and sexes. I intentionally planned my lessons to help my children understand that the United States is much more than a place where white males "made it all happen." I would never discredit in any way the influence men like George Washington or Thomas Edison had in helping us become great. But by failing to present various facets of our history, my children will grow into the same ignorance I had for far too long. And I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening.
By presenting an integrated view of history, I hope to prepare my children to live in a more integrated society. And by giving them a clearer vision of the past, I pray that they have a clearer vision of what the future can become.