How Black History Education Has Been Whitewashed

Olivia and Raven share their thoughts and experiences regarding black history education in schools, the Eurocentric focus in history and humanities courses, and problems with, and ways to improve black history education.

Discussion Summary

00:32: There’s a difference in how West European cultures and black and other cultures are taught about in the classroom.

02:44: Disparities in the way European and black history is covered, and what’s historically important to white people is not what’s historically significant to black people.

07:48: Teaching black history in a way that prioritizes white people’s feelings, and many major events in black history aren’t talked about in the classroom.

12:39: Differences in how black people and white people are depicted in education, and why the way our history is taught affects the way we think of ourselves and how others see us.

#18:04: Statistics on black history education, and reasons to expand history curricula.

25:13: The 1776 commission, if teaching history accurately can tarnish the image of the US, and promoting history education from the Eurocentric perspective.

33:59: Tokenism in black history education, black history class is an insufficient solution on its own for increasing education, and disinterest in and problems with courses.

37:49: Using your voice to improve the way black history education is implemented.

41:27: Outro.

 

References:

Ivan Van Sertima

They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America (Journal of African Civilizations)

Ethnic studies can’t make up for whitewashed history in classrooms

‘The Humanity of Blackness' Missing From History Classes: How to Transform Black History Education

 

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Music credits: Opening: Goestories - Noir Et Blanc Vie

Closing: First Class - DJ Williams