*self-identifying

We're an AA family at Lycee Rochambeau. (That might be self identify, ha!) I was concerned about this, but I was pretty impressed with what they did for Black History Month.

Anonymous wrote:I think we should celebrate BLACK HISTORY MONTH by celebrating black CULTURE PERIOD. Black culture is not the "civil rights" movement. Black History did not begin in 1963 with the "I have dream speech" and end in 1968. Sooo many contributions giving to this country by black culture and black individuals that go beyond the Montgomery bus boycott. Even that story doesn't get told in TRUE detail

My child's school does BHM very well from what I've seen. They learn about the Harlem Rennaisance, black art, black music (past and present), and also discuss the civil rights movement, the Underground Railroad, etc. This is in addition to black history being interwoven into all social studies and history classes, and mostly through the lens of how black people experienced slavery, jim crow, civil rights. I think it's an important perspective.

Fwiw, my child's school is almost entirely black.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't have American history without American Indians. You can't have American history without African-Americans.

Sure you can. And then it would even be interesting!

My kid wasn't even in kindergarten before he knew that "African-American History" meant boring, preachy crap.

Wow. Your kid's school must really suck. What is so boring about AA history? Boring?

ALL OF IT.

I just don't give a shit.

Doesn't speak to me, isn't relevant to my life.

Kind of like how men not caring about women's history? What part of history is relevant or interesting to you? Just specific periods or cultures?

+1

I wish we didn't have to separate black history (or women's history, or...) from the rest of it, but since the way history is taught comes from a white male perspective, it's so important to get it somewhere. How can "black history" be boring to you if black history is the story of American history? If you meant the way it's taught, cramming only bits and pieces into one month, I see where you're coming from, but otherwise...

I see it like this: at the school where I work (not in the DC area), one of the specialists wants to teach the students about the presidents. Which is awesome! He wants to stop at JFK, because he doesn't want to get into modern politics or controversy. But this is the first time in history where black kids can see their faces in a presidential portrait; the first time girls can see themselves as presidential candidates for a major party. I think he's doing the students (white, non-white, and every gender) a huge disservice by erasing this history from his lessons.

You didn't even have to say you aren't in Dc . . . this gives it away. Kids here are all over politics!

In DCPS MLK seems to mark the beginning and end of History.

Sorry, but that's simply wrong, and stupid. He was a great guy, as a thousand others have been, often more influential.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't have American history without American Indians. You can't have American history without African-Americans.

Sure you can. And then it would even be interesting!

My kid wasn't even in kindergarten before he knew that "African-American History" meant boring, preachy crap.

Wow. Your kid's school must really suck. What is so boring about AA history? Boring?

ALL OF IT.

I just don't give a shit.

Doesn't speak to me, isn't relevant to my life.

Kind of like how men not caring about women's history? What part of history is relevant or interesting to you? Just specific periods or cultures?

+1

I wish we didn't have to separate black history (or women's history, or...) from the rest of it, but since the way history is taught comes from a white male perspective, it's so important to get it somewhere. How can "black history" be boring to you if black history is the story of American history? If you meant the way it's taught, cramming only bits and pieces into one month, I see where you're coming from, but otherwise...

I see it like this: at the school where I work (not in the DC area), one of the specialists wants to teach the students about the presidents. Which is awesome! He wants to stop at JFK, because he doesn't want to get into modern politics or controversy. But this is the first time in history where black kids can see their faces in a presidential portrait; the first time girls can see themselves as presidential candidates for a major party. I think he's doing the students (white, non-white, and every gender) a huge disservice by erasing this history from his lessons.

You didn't even have to say you aren't in Dc . . . this gives it away. Kids here are all over politics!

Anonymous wrote:Black History is American History.

Hispanic History is American History.

Irish History is American History.

Italian History is American History.

Jewish History is American History.

Polish History is American History.

Japanese History is American History.

Chinese History is American History.

Vietnamese History is American History.

Get it?

My kids go to a small K-8 Catholic school in Montgomery County. I have been pleasantly surprised that they highlight black authors, read diverse literature, and incorporate black history throughout the school year and not just Black History Month. I don't remember any special programming for black history month. I actually prefer this approach of weaving contributions of AA throughout the year/curriculum. I went to private school back in the 80's and there was definately a feeling of one month to superficially talk about famous figures in black history and the rest of the time it was if AA didn't exist outside of slavery.

BTW, our school did a special program to talk about Nelson Mandela after his death.

I grew up in a southern state long before there was Black History month. It may surprise you to know that there were chapters devoted to important Black historical figures in our state history books (fourth grade). I still remember the information--so I know it was emphasized.

In my mind, history should be history. The historical figures should be included in the history timeline. As long as things are "different", they will be treated as such. The same with women. There have always been women who had an impact. But, to dredge up those with little significance to history is belittling.

Anonymous wrote:It's weird that you make your daughter present something on black history when it's not needed. So she just walks around asking teachers if she can present to get extra credit? Anyways, my child goes to a pgcps. They go all out for black history and it's annoying as fuck.

You know you can move or send your kid to a private school right? What could you possibly expect from a majority AA county?

When my kid attended DCPS elementary school 6 years ago, it felt like the Black History Curriculum was some relic of the Eighties. The way she came home talking about ex Mayor "Breaking Bad" Bar-ry, it seemed like the teacher treated him like one of the Founding Fathers. Comical, but sad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't have American history without American Indians. You can't have American history without African-Americans.

Sure you can. And then it would even be interesting!

My kid wasn't even in kindergarten before he knew that "African-American History" meant boring, preachy crap.

Wow. Your kid's school must really suck. What is so boring about AA history? Boring?

ALL OF IT.

I just don't give a shit.

Doesn't speak to me, isn't relevant to my life.

Kind of like how men not caring about women's history? What part of history is relevant or interesting to you? Just specific periods or cultures?

+1

I wish we didn't have to separate black history (or women's history, or...) from the rest of it, but since the way history is taught comes from a white male perspective, it's so important to get it somewhere. How can "black history" be boring to you if black history is the story of American history? If you meant the way it's taught, cramming only bits and pieces into one month, I see where you're coming from, but otherwise...

I see it like this: at the school where I work (not in the DC area), one of the specialists wants to teach the students about the presidents. Which is awesome! He wants to stop at JFK, because he doesn't want to get into modern politics or controversy. But this is the first time in history where black kids can see their faces in a presidential portrait; the first time girls can see themselves as presidential candidates for a major party. I think he's doing the students (white, non-white, and every gender) a huge disservice by erasing this history from his lessons.

I was looking for a template for a letter that my friends and I can send to our principles to encourage participation and events for Black history month. I have noticed that preschools and elementary schools make a big deal out of dr. suess' birthday but not BHM. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm not sure if they do anything.....?
If they did, I would probably notice. History doesn't get much attention in DD's elementary school, black or otherwise unfortunately

Black History is American History.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't have American history without American Indians. You can't have American history without African-Americans.

Sure you can. And then it would even be interesting!

My kid wasn't even in kindergarten before he knew that "African-American History" meant boring, preachy crap.

Wow. Your kid's school must really suck. What is so boring about AA history? Boring?

ALL OF IT.

I just don't give a shit.

Doesn't speak to me, isn't relevant to my life.

Kind of like how men not caring about women's history? What part of history is relevant or interesting to you? Just specific periods or cultures?