Online Archives

Why children should learn Black History
by Jesse Kenneth Smith

Studying Black History can be very enlightening and beneficial to children. It is an integral part of world history and should not be omitted by anyone in developing a full and complete understanding of past world events.
While benefiting all children, Black History should be especially critical to educating African-American children. It provides a sense of identify, telling them of their proud history stemming from the great civilizations of early Africa to the rigors of slavery and the oppression resulting from Jim Crowism following emancipation and reconstruction. An understanding of Black History should teach African-American children of the great determination, sense of direction, aspirations, and tenacity of their ancestors in their attempts to rise to a decent level of respect and equality in the United States.
It is important for African-American children to know that the strides that have been made in our country to assure equality and enjoyment of the 'American Dream' were accomplished through many sacrifices and hardships of their ancestors (and others); and that they must take full advantage of the opportunities created to help make it worth their efforts and toil.
African-American history is rich in important discoveries, inventions, and cultural and historical contributions to America and to the world as a whole. A knowledge of these accomplishments would establish a sense of pride and enlightenment, not only to African-American children but to other children as well.
Children thirst to learn about the historic African kings and queens such as Menes, Nefertiti, Tutankhamon, Mansa Musa, Shaku and Haile Selassie; about Black scientists and inventors such as Charles Drew, Benjamin Banneker, Eliajh McCoy, and Garrett Morgan; the historic Black women such as Mary McLeod Bethune, Nannie H. Burroughs, Bessie Coleman, Susan McKinney Steward, and Madame C. J. Walker; Blacks in the arts such as Paul Robeson, James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Marian Anderson, and Lorraine Hansberry; great civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Daisey Bates, W. E. B. Dubois, and Malcolm X; and Black pioneers such as Carter G. Woodson, Esteban, Matthew Henson, Crispus Attucks, and George W. Bush (c. 1790 - 1863) to name a few.
Black history has increasingly become a part of the required curriculum in many of our schools. It must be continually taught lest it should again become buried and forgotten. On a recent trip to Zimbabwe, I spent time talking with a young African man doing construction work at an orphanage. In discussing the history of his country with him, it was revealed that he had little knowledge of Great Zimbabwe, a well developed civilization in place in that country long before Europeans arrived and renamed and developed the country as Rhodesia. While teaching him the correct and proper history of his country and of other great early African civilizations, I watched his self-esteem and pride rise.
For so long, Black History was intentionally omitted, deleted, or obscured to diminish its impact on society. We must not let these practices re-occur. Our schools and churches must continue to teach Black history to help keep racial pride and dignity alive in this country and to make others aware of the frustrations, anger, confusion, hope, and pride held by many African-Americans.

Jesse Kenneth Smith is a former school principal and member of Hopkins UMC in Highland.