The recent years have taught us many lessons, and one of the main things is the need for a critical review of the history curriculum. Teachers all over the country focus on what they teach, and students are focusing on what they learn in schools. As an effect, more and more teachers are looking for cultural terms relevant Black history curriculum USA.
In this article, we will review three common gaps that we have to face while teaching Black history in schools and how we can avoid them.
1. Establishing the Space While Teaching Black History is necessary
It is natural that when we talk about the ancient oppression and violence present in Black history, there may be round about uncomfortable moments with your learners. However, there are ways to help ease some of the uneasiness when educators teach Black history in the schools. Make sure as a teacher, before diving into these subjects; you must collaborate with your students to generate a set of classroom standards and establish rules and expectations for the students. You can encourage your students to create a space where everyone is empowered to be brave, ask questions and acknowledge the discomfort in some of the topics you may be discussing.
2. Talking about & teaching Black History All Year is important
The first standard gap when teaching Black history in schools is only teaching Black history during February. Although February is officially known as Black History Month, it is not the only time you can or must teach Black history. Learning about historical figures of colour throughout the year and using February to join it back to what is trendy in the current day is also good. The awareness of Black history education can also teach black students how many historical figures and events also “fit” into other cultures and memorial months like Pride, Women’s History Month, and more.
3. Connecting the Past with the Present
Moreover, it is common for students to see black and white photos and assume what took place years ago. 1950 may sound very far away for a student learning history in 2022.
This can stop students from relating history to present consequences. History repeats itself, and many of the central themes and attitudes knotted into the past often repeat themselves.
Wrapping up
So, how we can connect the past to the Present while teaching history to the Black students? We can say that folks born and following perpetuated systemic racism in the 1940s and 1950s are often the age of their ancestors. Therefore, it is vital to bridge these three common gaps. When black students see how recent the black and white past was, they can better understand everything and connect to the modern Black history curriculum USA and the challenges they still face.
