The fact that the experiences of all people are not always celebrated or even recognized led to the establishment of Black History Month. Last week I tried to argue that American history needs to account for the people and stories of all America, not just those in power or those who represent a selective subset. As such, not only do we need to work to make our curriculum as inclusive as possible, but I would also urge families to visit various museums, galleries and historical sites in our city to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of a “fuller human experience.”
That said, this happens to be a time of year when people might be receptive to learning about or discussing issues and ideas related specifically to African Americans. Below, I will share a few resources with you and encourage you to explore them throughout the year and not just during the month of February.
Each year since 1928, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which was founded by Carter G. Woodson, has provided a theme for Black History Month. This year’s theme, “Black Migrations,” offers the opportunity to discuss issues related to human migration and mobility, in this country and beyond.
Click here to access an archive of newspaper front pages from important dates in Civil Rights history. This site from The New York Times also includes other resources, such as lesson plans, crosswords and current materials. The Adolescent Literacy site offers access to video interviews, online museum displays, poems and much more. Smithsonian Education’s Black History Month Teaching Resourcesfeature various collections, from ‘The Blues and Langston Hughes’ to ‘Harlem Renaissance: A Reading List’. There is something for students of any grade level here. This Black History timeline from Biography follows African American history in the United States from 1619 to the present. The Biography site also includes a huge collection of other resources, about African Americans and people from a variety of other backgrounds.
If you follow me on Twitter, you can see that I have been tweeting about the black experience in the classical world. You can follow the string of tweets at the following hashtag: #BlacksinClassicalWorld.
Valete!
Peter