The Academic and social value of ethnic studies, by Christine Sleeter
This blog will be a reflection.
Reading this text, really hit home for me. Growing up in school, ethnic studies or studies of people of color was never really a focus. We did not focus on their achievements or how much people of color contributed or changed American society or even the world, instead we focused on pain and the trauma of the past. Every Black history month, all that was taught was how African Americans went through slavery and how Jim crow affected them specifically during the reconstruction era after the American civil war. We never got to learn about Booker T Washington who created and founded one of the nations most HBCU's Tuskegee University. Every time we focused on African Americans and slavery, it was always uncomfortable, because I was always the only African American in my class. The Education system in America should allow all of curriculum to have each representations of people color, so that their history and culture, voice is being heard and learned, So that way we gain a respectful and appreciative understanding of the world around us. So many cultures around the world have so much history and achievements that can help bring unity and help educate us on issues that need solutions or discussions on how gain a new perspective of things.
Here is a article from the National Association for Multicultural education:
https://www.nameorg.org/learn/ethnic_studies_or_multicultura.php
It is important that students have a multicultural education because it will help them understand the bigger picture in the world, learning about other's history than your own can foster new minds and new innovative ideas to change the world and one can gain respect and love for the differences that make up our unique and diverse world and nation today.
Totally agree with seeing the bigger picture of our world!
ReplyDeleteI agree when I was in school they never taught about the accomplishments of people of color all that was ever taught was about slavery and inequalities but there was never information on individuals who actually made an impact on America.
ReplyDeleteI really connected with what you wrote. You’re right—schools often reduce Black history to slavery and trauma, leaving out achievements like Booker T. Washington’s. That kind of one-sided focus not only misses the bigger picture but also makes representation feel uncomfortable instead of empowering. Multicultural education could change that by showing the full scope of contributions. Do you think if schools taught more stories of achievement alongside the struggles, students would connect with history in a deeper way?
ReplyDeleteHello Donte! I agree, other cultures are not taught enough in schools. Hearing information from multiple perspectives can lead to new ideas and alternative ways of thinking.
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