Black History is Bigger Than Slavery

When I think about what I was taught about black history in school, I only remember lessons on slavery and prejudice. While these are significant to our countries history, they have become the default topics when discussing black history. In her article "Black History is Bigger than Slavery," Raluca Albu addresses the issue that schools tend to focus on a few events affiliated with a very rich culture. Students can still learn the standard content presented in history classes while also gaining a better understanding of how other cultures influenced these events. Other cultures are also excluded from many notable events in history giving students a incomplete picture of how other cultures have contributed to the history of the world. When students are given the opportunity to learn the true impact that other cultures have had on our world, they gain a greater appreciation for the diversity they will encounter in their own lives. I agree with Raluca Ablu that out schools should teach about cultures beyond what is required in the current content standards. Her article can be read here.

As Raluca Albu says in her article, "... to give students a fighting chance of living in a more equitable society, we have to change the way we teach them." When students only associate black history with specific events, they often wonder if that was the only contribution that black culture made to history. The National United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 treat black history as a separate part of history and fail to incorporate many significant contributions this culture has made to our world. Students often associate black history with the slavery, the Civil war, and the Civil Rights Movement. What about the impact that Crispus Attukus, a black man, had on the American Revolution? When we teach about Ellis Island, do we teach about the black immigrants? To provide students with a well rounded education, we must incorporate aspects of every culture in our lessons. In the following video, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses how our culture often as a single view of certain cultures.

This sort of "single story" thinking can be seen across all cultures discussed in schools. Specific cultures are associated with a select number of events as if that's the only significant impact they've had on the world. The principals that Raluca Albu is asking teachers to apply to their classrooms can be implemented across all subjects for all cultures. In today's schools , Native Americans were just the people we took land from and the Japanese bombed us in World War II. This gives the impression that our history is primarily driven by white males and only somewhat influenced by minority cultures. However, other cultures have had a significant impact on the history of America and the world. For example, the Great Depression is often filled with stories of the struggles of white people. What about the other immigrants and natives that were present during this time? How can we promote diversity and acceptance in our schools if we only teach about how one race has impacted history?

Providing students with a well-rounded view of other cultures is especially important in today's society. First, it provides students with a greater appreciation for other cultures. Click here for some cultural lessons you can use in your classroom. Students should be immersed in multiple aspects of all cultures they are learning about to gain a greater understanding of the many events, traditions, and customs that have become a part of history. Not only can students learn about the details of a cultures history, but also explore their music, food, and customs. When students realize how rich culture is, they become more accepting of the diverse world we live in. Secondly, students gain a more personal understanding of their own culture and family heritage. When students can make connections to their own lives or the lives of their friends and classmates, they become much more interested and engaged in the subject. Making lessons culturally relevant and captivating is especially important in an urban classroom. Students much greater appreciation for other cultures when they are given a chance to explore how exciting and important other cultures are.

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