I remember when Morgan Freeman called Black History Month “ridiculous.” I was surprised at the time, hearing a prominent black actor say such a thing, because it never occurred to me that black people might not actually be fans of Black History Month. After some thought, however, Mr. Freeman’s frustration made a lot of sense. If you designate a particular time for something, isn’t the underlying premise that that thing is not the norm?
Now that I spend most of my time in a black community–surrounded by black kids, black families, and mostly black colleagues–Black History Month seems even more of an oddity. Right now, my school is littered with bulletins and posters about Black History Month. Across classrooms (including my own), light-hearted research projects are being conducted on famous historical black Americans and their contributions to both black and American history. And of course, every kid wants to do MLK Jr.
Yet, the question goes unanswered… what is “black history?” More, what is it about “black history” that requires recognition outside of the “normal” history curriculum, and does this necessity still exist?
I struggle with how to teach these and similar questions in a classroom of black 6th graders (not to mention, as a white woman). Most of them haven’t learned yet to be frustrated by the barriers that they will face because of their skin color, and most of them value Black History Month as a part of their schooling. This week, my class conducted research projects and gave presentations on MLK, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harriet Tubman (all classics, of course). My students thoroughly enjoyed the research and presenting, and from what I can tell, telling the stories of black American’s they admire is rewarding for them. By faciltating these projects and devoting time to Black History Month in my classroom, I somehow am signifying its importance.
Every Friday, I lead a Socratic Seminar in my class based around a “big question.” This week’s big question, after all the work we’ve done, is “Is Black History Month important?” I don’t expect my kids to understand the concept of a post-racial world, especially since, like me, they are growing up in an incredibly racially homogenous environment. But I would like to be able to show them that the value of things like this isn’t just a given. That there are multiple sides to a story.
I’ll show them the Morgan Freeman video and have them read a couple of articles on the significance (or lack thereof) of Black History Month. And here’s where you come in… I would like to share with them other ideas and responses to the big question to spark their thinking. So, if you’re willing, please consider and respond to the following questions:
- Is, in fact, Black History Month important? Why or why not?
- Is teaching Black History Month any more important in a majority white school than a black school or vice versa?
- How is Black History different, if at all, from American History?
- Is there a day when Black History Month will no longer be necessary? What does that day look like?
I’d like to share some “exemplar” comments with my kids tomorrow. So be bold, thought-provoking, and middle school appropriate :). I look forward to your responses!
Black History Month is very important at this point in time. Morgan Freeman's sentiments make sense, and resonate, but his feelings on the topic are "too early" to be effective in society. Racism certainly won't disappear until we reach a point where we don't even talk about it anymore; that day isn't today. There are significant portions of the population still today that haven't shed the seemingly antiquated idea that all races are equal. People my age (also Ms. Fifield's age) have spent our entire lives in a society where racism is taboo. However, my mother would go to a friend's house for dinner when she was a child and her friend's family called black beans "Nigger toes." If that happened nowadays, those people would be instantly, and properly, labeled as ignorant bigots, but many of those people are still alive today.
Even still in Europe (as well as the U.S.) there are rampant public displays of racism. The owner of an Italian soccer league team recently used a racial slur about his own player, and there have been instances where the referees have canceled matches in the middle of them because of boisterous racist chants. Beyond African Americans, racial blanket statements get made on the daily with regard to Muslims.
Black History Month is important at this point in time because there are still so many people trying to convince others that there is some kind of racial hierarchy in terms of worth. While the inspiration is absolutely critical for African Americans, it's not even remotely limited to those people. The people you mentioned above are/were truly remarkable individuals that every human on the planet can learn from.
I hope that in the next few generations those people still trying to separate society based on race truly become a stain so large in the public eye that they're forced to keep to themselves or be condemned by their community.
Very interesting topic. Hope any of this is useful.
Hey Kate,
Great idea for your seminar tomorrow.
I'm reading The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander for my criminal procedure class. The premise of the book is that the drug war is a continuation of racial segregation, and I find the argument pretty convincing so far. Reading this post made me think of something that she said in the book.
"The standard reply [to the premise of the book] is: 'How can you say that a racial caste system exists today? Just look at Barack Obama! Just look at Oprah Winfrey!.'
"The fact that some African Americans have experienced great success in recent years does not mean that something akin to a racial caste system no longer exists. No caste system in the United States has ever governed all black people; there have always been 'free blacks' and black success stories, even during slavery and Jim Crow. The superlative nature of individual black achievement today in formerly white domains is a good indicator that the old Jim Crow is dead, but it does not necessarily mean the end of racial caste. If history is any guide, it may have simply taken a different form." (Page 21).
To bring this back to your questions: if you accept Alexander's premise that the existence of some highly successful black individuals masks the fact that African Americans are still severely disadvantaged in this country, isn't Black History Month somewhat complicit in this? History is necessarily the story of the victorious. Focusing on Ella Fitzgerald and Harriet Tubman might teach kids great things about what those women achieved, but shouldn't they also be encouraged to think about why their friends and family members don't have the same opportunities that whites do, even in modern society? Doesn't it do something to cover the fact that the vast majority of American inmates are black, and that if your students are black and male it is very likely that they'll spend time in jail or prison in their lifetimes?
Some specific responses to your questions:
1) Black HIstory Month is probably important, but largely for inspirational or aspirational reasons. America divides itself by race, and your students likely do the same; Black History Month might inspire them to take on great people as role models, and that can't be a bad thing.
2) It's important that it be taught everywhere, but for different reasons. For black students, it can serve as inspiration. For white students, it can serve to fracture stereotypes that might be perpetuated in their homes and communities through active racism or simply the lack of meaningful contact with people of different races.
3) Black history is American history through from a different perspective. Especially at the primary and secondary school levels, it's necessary to choose your vantage point when teaching students about history. Due to the nature of our country's racial history, an overwhelming majority of those whose actions landed them in the history books are white. If one learns history by standing on a cliff and observing it through binoculars, shifting the focus to black leaders moves the student a few paces down and hands them a new spyglass. At the highest level, you're seeing the same story, but you're seeing it differently.
4) Black History Month won't be necessary when there is true equality of opportunity and the enforcement of law in our country. That day is a long way off. Until then, white students need to be taught that all people can achieve great things, and black students need to be taught that their skin color isn't a handicap.
Just my thoughts. Hope they're helpful.
Tyler
@tjunger I really like your reasons on why it's important. For 2) though I think it can be just as inspirational for all people regardless of race (I know you weren't saying it was inspirational only for black people). But the inspiration to me is the same for all races because of what these brave individuals overcame. It certainly trivializes any of the problems I have!