FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

A friend of mine decided to make some money while she was in college.  She set up a booth at a local fair and sold black books, tee-shirts, and artifacts.  An elderly, white woman came to the table and asked about the designs on one of the tee-shirts.  "Those are not designs, they are bodies.  That was a plan of a slave ship." The woman was shocked.  "But they look like sardines!"  My friend  just stated the facts; this was a teachable moment.  "That's how the slaves came here." 


My friend said she and this woman talked for a long time about each of the items on her table.  The woman seemed bewildered when she told my friend, "I never knew any of this.  I never even heard about of it."  She bought many items for herself, her children, and grandchildren.  She said she would tell her family what she learned; and she seemed grateful for the lesson my friend shared with her.  It was the easiest sale my friend ever made.  She respected that woman for being open to learning about black history without feeling uncomfortable. 

Some people question the need for Black History Month because black history is part of American history.  The only problem is, many teachers (regardless of race) do not always incorporate black history, literature, art, and culture in their weekly curriculum.  I believe Black History Month is an annual celebration; and there is nothing wrong with a celebration!  Please consider these resources and celebrate the accomplishments of black achievers. 

You should begin your lessons with a discussion about Dr. Carter Woodson, Father of Black History and the creator of Negro History Week.  Many students do not know that Dr. Woodson's home is a national historical shrine.  This site offers some important information about Dr. Woodson and his work.  This can help build background knowledge.

http://www.asalh.org/WoodsonHome.html


The NAACP offers information on Dr. Woodson and his life.

http://www.naacp.org/pages/naacp-history-Carter-G.-Woodson


Library of Congress has a slavery resource guide for teachers.

http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

Many young people have never visited a museum. Students can take a virtual tour of The Museum of African Art. African Mosaics offers an exhibit of Haitian leader, Toussaint L'Ouverture, who fought three world powers to free Haiti from slavery.

http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/mosaic/toussaint.html

Education World has an internet black history scavenger hunt.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/images/lesson052-4.pdf


History.com offers a wealth of resources and information, including the Black Codes.

http://www.history.com/topics/black-codes


Education.com has some fun activities.  Students can create a postcard from Africa.  After conducting research, they create a postcard that describes the wonders of Africa.


http://www.education.com/special-edition/black-history-month/


PBS offers a timeline from slavery to modern times.


http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/classroom.html


This is a well-written article on how NOT to teach about slavery.


http://www.good.is/post/mock-slave-auctions-how-not-to-teach-kids-about-america-s-history/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/timeline.html