Shaun KingVerified account

American history is only taught starting with Colonialism. Natives? What natives? Oh yes. They fed the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving. Then disappeared from the books. And of course in that vein, black people didn't exist until sold to white Americans.

True, true, true. Once, when my daughter was ten, she asked me if the 60's were cool. It took me 45 minutes to answer, as I had to start with the 50's, McCarthyism, the Civil Rights Movement, the sexual revolution and music. I feel the same way about North American history.

Thanks so much for these resources. As a future history teacher I'm always interested in ways to make lessons more well rounded and inclusive. Knowing that black history is more than being enslaved is so important!

I had to email my son’s teacher and principal about this exact thing.

Can’t thank you enough for this- can’t wait to share with my district team!

Couldn't agree more. We need to educate our children about Native Americans in a thoughtful, honest way also.

Thank you for sharing this vital piece of information... I get it's "how you begin the story" that stays in our mind and hearts. I pray that this small mustard seed of truth grows to the rest of the world!

I have always thought history should be taught in a more global way. Wherever you start, what was going on in Asia, in the Mideast, in India, in Europe, in Africa at that time? How were they all interacting? What were cultures learning from each other? Dates of battles is boring

@MylesJayy read this thread. You will like.

That’s a good point and I never even thought of that. In fact since that’s the way we were taught the first thing that comes to mind when I think of black history is slavery followed by MLK

I have a feeling your daughter's teacher also knows whose kid she is and knew she had to get this right. I hope the curriculum is changed permanently,

Reject any curriculum (official or otherwise) that centers Black history in slavery.

Bookmarking for next school year!!!!

Thought-provoking; something that well-intentioned people may not otherwise consider. Thank you!

I just want to thank you for this thread. I am a 6th grade teacher, and while I am not infallible to these weaknesses in my curriculum, it helps tremendously to see these resources and be reminded of all the ways we can shape students' perspectives in positive ways.

Guess they should call it American Black History. Or get it right.

Thank you so much for this. My 6yo is fascinated by Romans and Egyptians and will be taught this in UK schools but I’m not aware of when Black History teaching starts. It will start here at home x

Thanks! This is helpful to me as a mom of a kid headed to kindergarten. #startoutright