Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Why No White History Month? It is the month of February again, and I am very excited about the Black History month. As a young African American elementary school teacher, I make sure that I fully take advantage of the Black History month in my lessons with my 5th graders. Yesterday, we were talking about important African American political figures, who made life better for all Americans. During this lesson, one of my students raised her hand and asked why there was no "White History month?" "Were White Americans not as important?" I did not have a good answer to her question. I must be doing something wrong to have a student feel this way. How would you answer this question? Do you think it is problematic to integrate African Americans to all my lessons during February? How can I fix this? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) There has long been debate about the absence of a "White History Month" ever since the establishment of "Black History Month" in 1976. First, I think it is important to understand the rationale behind the creation of "Black History Month". The idea behind "Negro History Week" (1926), later to be expanded to "Black History Month," was established to bring to light the importance of African American contributions to the country that were thought to be neglected in public schools. That negligence at the time and even now is said to assist in keeping blacks a permanent underclass in society. There are also those who would argue that there is no "White History Month" because every month is "White History Month" and creating a special time for emphasis on black history was necessary in order to help maintain some equality. Given the political, social, and economic standing of the United States in both 1926 and 1976, I can understand the necessity to integrate black history at that time. However, in today's world, I find it problematic and here is why. History is history. The past is the past. There is nothing any single person can do to change it and in education today, there is nothing hidden. The playing field is as level as it ever has been when it comes to public education and no one in a public school today is trying to hide the accomplishments of black people. Whereas history in schools may have been skewed to hide black contributions, in the early and mid 20th century, it certainly is not so now. With that being said I can't help but believe that too much emphasis placed on black history as opposed to just history can certainly cause a division among ethnic groups. As I said before, history is history so why place an emphasis on any single race of people? Here is another question, do you think it's possible that "Black History Month" has become twisted into the political message that says black people are still an underclass or do you believe that it still holds true as a celebration of black contributions to a greater good? I think it is important for you to understand what "Black History Month" truly is to you that way you might be able to better answer your student's question. Addressing the question of your student, not to answer it, but the reasoning behind the question is quite important. I would be curious to know the ethnicity of the student though it's not relevant to my idea about the question itself. I find that question quite encouraging. It seems this student has perhaps failed to place a separation between black and white, at least until now. To this student history is history. Isn't that the goal for our children to look past racial lines and understand that people are just people? It seems as though the presentation of "Black History Month" has now potentially created a racial divide in the student that was not previously in her. If that be the case, it certainly isn't isolated to this one student and if it is true then "Black History Month" has done the exact opposite of its original intent. Also, given the monumental changes in the overall feelings of society about equality, does the mere existence of "Black History Month" suggest that black people are in need of special recognition simply because they are black and somehow, because of that fact, fall short and need a "boost" that other races don't? Now here are some answers to your questions. No, you are not doing anything wrong by integrating the accomplishments of African Americans into your lessons. As matter of fact, they are a part of history and have helped to shape this country. However, if you are over emphasizing those aspects of history over others on the basis of race, then you are doing something wrong. History is history just like 2 equals 2. As for the student's question, answer it. For that you have to know the history. When was "Black History Month" created and why was it created. It was a necessity at the time, some would argue today as well, to help keep black people from becoming a permanent underclass by being under represented in this school's history lessons. The answer to her question can be made with no political debate when you stick to the historical facts of the time in which "Black History Month" was established.