I think that dedicating one month (even if it is only 28 days) to a
particular race, is more than generous. As pointed out by frde-ga,
there is much more to history than the 228 years of the United States.
While it's been awhile since I was in grade school (we didn't have
Black History Month back then), I see no advantage to singling out
African-American history and how it contributes to where we are today.
The specific, accomplishments, setbacks, injustices, struggles, etc.
ARE part of history, and should be addressed and referenced when it
fits into a lesson plan that encompasses whatever period is being
discussed, if it is applicable.
Based on 2002 data from the US Census department, the population, of
Blacks vs non-Hispanic whites, is highest in the South (55.3% to
33.3%) in the other areas of the US; Northwest, Midwest, and West, the
population of blacks is LESS than the population of non-Hispanic
whites (Northwest - 18.1% to 20.5%, Midwest - 18.1% to 21.7%, West -
8.6% to 19.2%).
http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/p20-541.pdf
With these numbers in mind, I could see there being more interest to
increase what is taught about African-American history, based strictly
on demographics, but by no means, a mandate for such a change.
As far as, "how it would affect the mindset of children"? I think it
could go either way. I think it could give children a better
understanding of the African-American people and their heritage, and
create a greater tolerance towards blacks. It could also alienate
students, causing more undue animosity towards blacks, as
students/children see their own race as, inferior/less important than
African-Americans.
I take this editorial from the website listed below to show how it may
affect other student?s mindsets;
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/0304/forum_campus_race.html
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Quote:
" This issue has been argued under the pretense of equality in the
most grossly prejudicial manner. If you read the current list of
demands by the Black Student Alliance, you will see items such as
"required black history courses for all students", an
"African-Amercian section" in the library, "hiring of more black
faculty", etc. Why would a group, under the pretense of equality and
fair treatment, ask for such divisive things? Especially when they
already exist... you can find them down the street at Clark-Atlanta,
Morris Brown, Morehouse, and Spellman. Georgia State is not a black
college, it's not a white college, it's a major university that should
NEVER cater to the unrealistic and ridiculous demands of one group
trying to label them selves as "special". " End Quote
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I think as it stands now, there should be no change to the curriculum
to include additional Black history. While the article above is
referencing college curriculum, I'm sure you would find the same types
of arguments down to the lowest levels of education. If students are
interested in learning more about their history, culture, etc. they
can research it through many different sources. (Library, internet,
teachers, relatives, friends, etc).
I personally, am in a "minority" category, and know very little about
my "heritage". I also have little/no desire, to find out about it. I
do not believe that, learning about my heritage, should be "forced"
upon someone else (as required curriculum) because it is the
predominate "race/minority" in the area in which I live.
Good luck with your research paper. I feel that the more you research
this topic, the more polarized you will find the population to be. Do
an informal survey. Ask 20 Black people what they think of the idea,
and ask 20 non-Black people what they think. Use this as data for your
paper. I can almost guarantee that you will find a majority of
African-Americans in favor of what you would like to propose, and a
majority of every other group of people opposed to it. While you may
not get the justification to move forward with changing the
curriculum, you may get something better, knowledge and understanding.
A final quote from, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ?Our loyalties must
transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this
means we must develop a world perspective.? |
