No public school in American teaches enough about the history of Blacks in America, or Native Americans, or others, because for the most part, these were poor people. We tend to focus our attention on the lives of the wealthy and powerful. We also have a desire to whitewash our past, and downplay the instances of immorality this nation has engaged in.
Ever met a kid who knew the history of the coal miners' union movement in West Virginia from school? Who knew where the Underground Railroad stations actually were? Who knew -- in detail -- what The Trail Of Tears was?
T'aint asking too much, to teach this curriculum once every school year for a month.
As a Cherokee Indian, I take offense at your post. We were not "poor" at all.
Until your ancestors stole all that we had.
Giving us a month in public schools won't do anything but make YOU feel better about yourself. It will not change what was done, and the only fair and appropriate resolution is now an impossibility (give back what you stole, and go back to where you came from). We know our history, we don't really care if you know it. Have your "Black History Month," because the Blacks, and more importantly, YOU need it. Leave us alone. We don't want your patronization, and we recognize it for what it is. Self-centered bullshit that is all about YOUR feelings, and nothing about ours.
Morgan Freeman couldn't be more right. You cannot relegate our history to a month, and we don't want a month.
As Mr. Freeman says so simply and beautifully (are we sure he isn't Cherokee?) :
Stop talking about it.
