Black History Month comes around each February, making that month a great time to begin engaging oneself, or one's entire family, in the rich field of African American History. In fact, there isn't a better occasion for picking up a study that might last a lifetime. There are simple ways to do this, none simpler than just putting up a calendar that notes important black leaders and achievers.
Black literature, written during different periods of time, is an excellent way to learn the attitudes and lifestyles of black people. It is also a good way for youngsters to get a feeling for what it might have been like to live through the struggles of those gone by. An objective historical document can give important detail and context, but sometimes leaves out the feeling of living through the events.
The whole family might read an entire novel each week or two, depending upon its size. The family could also be tasked to read a poem each day through the month of February. One nice thing about such a practice is that each year can bring a whole new slate of texts, adding variety and the possibility of growing sophistication to the family each year.
Many people, especially the young, feel they already have an expertise in black music even though all they know is rap. This actually creates an opportunity, even a responsibility, to add a musical appreciation component to one's February syllabus just in order to shatter such notions. Too many youngsters have no awareness whatsoever of jazz, and fewer still know anything about the blues.
It goes without saying that Februaries are great months for teaching Black History itself. It is important to emphasize that this is also America's story, not just the story of one minority group. This means that anyone, of any ethnic group, has a stake in a month that is for the entire country. Since black people are still living through challenging times, whites and others can use this as an occasion to deepen their understanding.
There's no reason this study needs to be limited to the United States. Africa, whether before, during, or after the Transatlantic Slave Trade, has its own compelling story to tell. Learning about Africa can be crucially important emotionally for black Americans who might have fallen into the assumption that their story begins in chains in the Old South's cotton plantations, rather than in an African context stretching back thousands of years.
It might be uncomfortable for people of different ethnic groups to dive into this material, which can be hurtful reading for those who are too young. But there are several ways anyone can participate in black culture, including ways that are celebratory and positive. One could treat the whole family to a dinner of traditional black cooking. One might also visit the friendly environment of a majority-black church some Sunday in February.
Everybody can benefit from some exposure to black history this February. It doesn't require and special effort. Nor does it require that one be black oneself.
Black literature, written during different periods of time, is an excellent way to learn the attitudes and lifestyles of black people. It is also a good way for youngsters to get a feeling for what it might have been like to live through the struggles of those gone by. An objective historical document can give important detail and context, but sometimes leaves out the feeling of living through the events.
The whole family might read an entire novel each week or two, depending upon its size. The family could also be tasked to read a poem each day through the month of February. One nice thing about such a practice is that each year can bring a whole new slate of texts, adding variety and the possibility of growing sophistication to the family each year.
Many people, especially the young, feel they already have an expertise in black music even though all they know is rap. This actually creates an opportunity, even a responsibility, to add a musical appreciation component to one's February syllabus just in order to shatter such notions. Too many youngsters have no awareness whatsoever of jazz, and fewer still know anything about the blues.
It goes without saying that Februaries are great months for teaching Black History itself. It is important to emphasize that this is also America's story, not just the story of one minority group. This means that anyone, of any ethnic group, has a stake in a month that is for the entire country. Since black people are still living through challenging times, whites and others can use this as an occasion to deepen their understanding.
There's no reason this study needs to be limited to the United States. Africa, whether before, during, or after the Transatlantic Slave Trade, has its own compelling story to tell. Learning about Africa can be crucially important emotionally for black Americans who might have fallen into the assumption that their story begins in chains in the Old South's cotton plantations, rather than in an African context stretching back thousands of years.
It might be uncomfortable for people of different ethnic groups to dive into this material, which can be hurtful reading for those who are too young. But there are several ways anyone can participate in black culture, including ways that are celebratory and positive. One could treat the whole family to a dinner of traditional black cooking. One might also visit the friendly environment of a majority-black church some Sunday in February.
Everybody can benefit from some exposure to black history this February. It doesn't require and special effort. Nor does it require that one be black oneself.
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