Strengthen Black History Through Education
By Renee Hart
Writing about Black history is difficult. It is hard to write about a topic like this when there is so much history that has been omitted from learning. There is a struggle between figuring out who you are as an individual and as a Black person in society. The fear that was instilled in our ancestors is still a fear for many Black people. There is no room for individuality when we are being suppressed by people who do not understand. Society normalized a specific look, way of talking and portrays biased views of how to be represented. Today, many African Americans are using their voice to be heard. No more are the days of hiding in the shadows of fear of repercussions.
February is nationally celebrated as Black History Month. We celebrate the contributions of African American writers, musicians, artists, philanthropists, businessmen and businesswomen, activists, and other history makers creating the Black story. The 2020 political election proved to be the start of many first milestones for African Americans. Political elections were a catalyst towards representation, including Kamala Harris being our first African American woman Vice President of the United States. Beyond the political realm, other Black achievers are moving forward to change the trajectory of representation, diversity, and identity in the workforce, media, and entertainment industries.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the ‘Father of Black History,’ wanted African Americans to enrich themselves in their heritage that many tried to eradicate from history. In 1926, Woodson started Negro History Week in the second week of February to honor the birthdates of Frederick
Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. On the centennial anniversary of Negro History Week, it was formally recognized as Black History Month. Woodson believed in the preservation of African American history. At the beginning of this article, the feelings I expressed represent exactly what
Woodson did not want to happen. He empowered African Americans to obtain an education to understand the culture and heritage. The truth uncovered deep hurt but believers; conscious efforts prevailed in the equality fight. Today African Americans fight to be heard and seen in
positions that respectfully qualify them a seat at the table. It is important to note why representation, diversity, and identity are crucial to understanding why the fight continues.
Research studies show that different states mandated the curriculum to include Black history while some states choose to spin the narrative or omit the details altogether. Why is the identity of the Black race being hidden? The lack of education. The education system is responsible for providing a diverse curriculum, but can you remember how much Black history was taught in your schools? Countless students face outdated material that focuses on slavery and prominent figures such as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks as the sole parts of Black history.
LaGarrett King, Director of the Carter Center for K-12 Black History Education at the University of Missouri, carries out the work that Woodson sought out to accomplish. He wrote in “Black History is Not American History: Toward a Framework of Black Historical Consciousness,” an article in the Social Education Journal in 2020, “we have mostly only taught about Black history and not through Black history. Teaching about Black history and people means that our knowledge of Black history comes from other culture's perspectives, not the Black culture. "Teaching about Black history sends a message that Black histories are defined through oppression and liberation.” There is more to Black history than the oppression and suffering from slavery and the Jim Crow era. We are taught Black history through the White perspective instead of listening, reading, and watching from actual African American people's experiences other than the prominent figures we are taught a*bout. Children need to learn about the good experiences of achievements, sacrifices, and the legacies of fearless leaders who forged the path to equality.
The media and entertainment industries are unleashing facts about Black history that have not been acknowledged. Movies like Black Panther and Judas and the Black Messiah are teaching aids where our history began, and the movements led. Our job is to hold policymakers, school administrators, and educators accountable for redeveloping the curriculum and offering professional development for educators to learn how to present this part of history.
African American history needs to be restored and repurposed.
As we continue to learn more about Black culture and the history behind it, be inspired to create and preserve new traditions. Fight for what you believe in. Lonnie Bunch, Founding Director of the National Museum of African American History & Culture, said, “There is no more powerful
force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.” Black History Month is still relevant today because Black people are stronger than ever in the fight towards equality. Black history is not dead but alive in the celebration of embracing Black culture. We have been chosen to be different, so be determined to be the difference. Black lives matter, always and forever!