While scrolling through Facebook as we so often do, I saw an image that said, “Black History 24/7/365”, and it caught my attention; I am still thinking about it. Yes, February is Black History Month in the U.S.A., but I long for the time when it is more than a single month. In order for Black History or African American History to be more valued in contemporary society; diasporic people need to work more collectively at learning the history themselves because much was purposefully removed and not taught. It is my hope that as we learn more about the unabridged history of America, other cultures and ethnicities may show more respect for African and African Americans' contributions to society. A collective promotion of all the treasured works accomplished would benefit the masses. African peoples laid a strong foundation for the great country America has become whether others care to admit it or not; therefore, let us join forces protecting against the demolition of the work of our brave ancestors who constructed the supports on which many benefit today.
I admit my knowledge has grown over the years, but I still struggle to apprehend more about my own family. I know very little about my mother’s side of the family. Now that I am older, and understand more clearly the value of roots, I desire to know more. It may be difficult to begin to learn about that side of my family because our mother-daughter strained relationship hinders our communication. (But, that’s a story for another time and place.) The point is to learn about African American history; let’s first start with who we are. This wisdom may be gained by venturing out to see who they are. They–our ancestors not only the generations from long, long, long ago, but the Baby Boomers. The Boomers who may have raised you, nurtured you, and cared for you from your childhood. The framework was laid by this generation.
How well do you know your parents or immediate caregivers? What great accomplishments have they made? What dreams did they postpone? How has living in this country affected them? What are their stories? When I was in high school, we were studying American History, and the social studies teacher offered extra credit if someone in our family was available to be a guest speaker. My uncle, John, came to my school to discuss his experience as a Vietnam veteran. As a high schooler, I recall being amazed about what I did not know about my uncle; as he talked I realized how much I did not know about my uncle. My classmates were amazed as well. Uncle John was a true war hero; he was assigned to a Combat Cab Unit who fought in the jungle. That day I learned more about African American history sitting in my high school history class. I was so proud. That kind of history may never be recorded in a book, but lives on in Uncle John and hopefully the students he spoke to that day. My uncle added to the foundation set in motion many years before him.
Although the school curriculum is sorely lacking key points in history, this method of learning cannot go unnoticed. Today’s textbooks and supplemental materials produced by companies are not perfect, but have improved. It is a source to obtain information for students to read, and discuss with their families. Yes, parents and guardians should be actively engaged with their students' learning to know what they are learning, so that they can clarify and/or correct misinformation printed in the company’s materials. Upon request, parents may request a copy of his or her child’s or children’s textbook. Parents are not only their child’s first teacher, but parents are their student’s best learning advocate. Parents and guardians ensure students are receiving quality materials to support the building of young minds.
My favorite, the library serves as a pivotal place for families–students and parents to learn using curiosity as a guide and augmenting the core knowledge by mounting specialized knowledge like African American history to their groundwork. During February most libraries have special displays, activities, and guests to promote the rich history that Americans may have forgotten. Librarians add support beams of knowledge; thereby preventing cracks in information not provided by the curriculum. Dr. Martin L. King, Rosa Parks, and slavery are not the only topics that could and should be discussed and taught during this month (and throughout the year). Countless Americans have dispensed loads of character, intellect, and brilliance from Gloria Richardson to Benjamin O. Davis. Ms. Richardson was a leader in the fight for civil rights in Cambridge, Maryland while General Davis served in the U.S. Army for over fifty years and was a highly decorated soldier. These two are just some of the many African Americans impacting the legacy that is America; their accomplishments and sacrifice have provided stability for the structure upon which we build today.
In Worth Learning (previous blog article), a reflective question was asked of adult readers, “What are you consuming? [knowing that] “everything we consume becomes a part of us”. The same is true for our children, and students. Most students find themselves viewing and reading screens instead of reading and comprehending print materials. From the earliest days of slavery when African Americans were beaten for trying to learn how to read through the civil rights movement when Black people were bussed to different schools with inferior books and resources, they understood the value of an education. Education was the cornerstone of life. Our foundation has shifted because youth today do not understand the value of a good education, many hate to read because they do not know how, and if we are not vigilant our African American culture may collapse. Students across our country are failing standardized tests because they read below grade level; they do not have a high regard for education and reading. Students do not comprehend the significance of what their ancestors died and fought for the right to have. According to The Right to Read, a documentary about the state of literacy in our schools, Levar Burton and Jenny MacKenzie discuss the difficult state we find our schools in; a cycle of failure and our students are suffering greatly.
The way we honor the legacy of intellectual and courageous African Americans from generations past, present, and future is remembering the role learning should have in our daily lives and our students’ daily lives. Adults must work together to restore the foundation that was once laid by great men and women. Restoration begins with us. Families build a culture of reading with their students at home; do not wait for the teacher. Teachers do what your professional training has taught you about the fundamentals of literacy. Librarians continue to use every tool in your toolbox to help teachers, and make reading a joyful experience for learners. School leaders give students what they need individually and collectively to be successful; trust your teachers and work together. These upright actions continue to ensure the house we are building for the future is one our children and their children may find safety, security, and rest. How will you make sure our students’ education foundation is fortified against future damage or collapse?
Lighting the way,
Fiya Librarian
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