Why adding Black History Classes is Necessary by Jeneshia

Why adding Black History Classes is Necessary by Jeneshia - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

Education for all American Students focuses on an intellectual heritage that begins with the Greco-Roman tradition, on one hand, and the Judaeo-Christian tradition on the other. In addition, mainstream education includes references to the contributions of the Hindus, Buddhists, Arabs and the Chinese to certain aspects of human culture. But what about the contributions of Africans and African descended people? Where is any of this reflected in mainstream education? For most black students, the experience in the classroom is one of being present and being excluded at the same time. Nearly all information taught in schools and colleges ignore the black students’ cultural heritage. Which is why African History, or African American History would be the most valuable addition to any high school curriculum.

Black History is a subject that can interest all students, and it would provide a more holistic understanding of the history of the world. After all, Africa is quite literally in the center of it. In addition, it is a subject that enables black students to see and learn about people that are just like themselves, as black people made contributions to the development of the arts, technology and the sciences, industry and world trade, and religion and philosophy. There is a sense of pride and identity that comes with understanding one’s heritage. To know that you are descendants of masterful artists, kings and queens, and philosophers is one privilege that white people have had for centuries, while African-American students learn that their history essentially begins with slavery in the United States, which is in fact not true. History has been white-washed and the introduction of classes that discuss non-whites history, and not just black history, will be beneficial to the overall education of our very multicolored student body.