Black History: The Path We Tread

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by crlesh

I love my country... but we are far too arrogant for this new 'global' environment. Focusing on American History in our schools (while interesting and important), does a disservice to all of our children, regardless of race or origin, and is largely responsible for the fear and ignorance with which we collectively view other cultures.

History should not be taught in terms of empires and military campaigns, but rather as cultures - and from a global perspective. Perhaps another generation will correct our educational deficiencies. Mine is incapable. Until then, I embrace BHM as an opportunity to be developed.

Thank you ST21 for your thoughtful perspective.

The greatest empires in history were not necessarily defined by military might. They were defined by contributions to human civilization. Greek Philosophy and the birth of Democracy, Roman Architecture, the Roman Catholic Church, England and Spain amongst other nations for exploring and the discovery of new lands, as well as the immense European contributions to the Arts; Newton & Galileo and countless other scientific discoveries, and the United States for the industrial revolution.

These are some of the most significant contributions to our society as we know it, and still influence our lives today. That's why we study them in school, not because of the lands they conquered.

Black history month is admirable, but not necessarily the best use of our time at school. The field of study should be blind to race. You should simply be studying the events and people that made the biggest contributions to human civilization. If you do that, you will end up studying a wide range of races, including blacks. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, and a host of others would surely be examined.