By: Adina Sullivan-Marlow
The focus on Black History Month really starts with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr birthday/holiday in January. Each year there seems to be a longer and longer list of folks who post an MLK quote for the day. Even those whose demonstrated views and actions are in opposition to his core beliefs like to look as if they are aligned. Some are straight-up hypocritical. Most have not actually read his writings and have disconnected from the context in which his work took place.
This same disconnect happens in schools as well. For the month of February teachers read and talk about famous Black leaders such as Dr. King or Rosa Parks, but a designated month shouldn't be the only time students hear about Black (or Latinx or Asian or Indigenous or...) history topics. Overcoming trauma shouldn’t be the only reason why we talk about Black Americans and Black history didn’t begin with slavery. Since the U.S. is made of many different groups, it should be evident in U.S. education as well. Rather than teaching about individuals out of context, please take a look at where they should already be embedded in the curriculum. It shouldn’t be a special section or subject. Students need to see the diversity that is inherent in our world and history, not individuals pointed out as exceptions. These histories are U.S. histories. They are WORLD history. They are OUR history. And it isn’t just our history. It is also OUR present.
Don’t feel like you know enough? Me either. I’m in constant catch up mode to supplement what I didn’t get as a student in school. Take some time to dig in for yourself and notice who is telling the story. Understanding more will benefit you and your students.
Resources:
Center for Racial Justice in Education
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute