Philadelphia Mandates Black History for Graduation

[wildeyed]

PHILADELPHIA, June 22 - Angry that public schools here have always taught American history through a Eurocentric prism, parents of black children began pleading with local school officials to offer a course in African-American history. That was nearly 40 years ago.

This year, their pleas were finally - and emphatically - answered. Starting in September, students entering city high schools as ninth graders will be required to take a course in African-American history, making Philadelphia the first major city to require such a course for high school graduation.

snip...

Mr. Perzel, a Republican who represents a district in northeast Philadelphia that is largely white, said in a letter to the commission chairman, James E. Nevels, that he was concerned that the mandate "will divide, rather than unite" the city "and thereby erode the positive learning environment."

snip...

One of her students, Christopher Davis, 18, said: "In American society, we're known as gangsters, drug dealers and killers. People don't know all about our heritage, what we stood for, our accomplishments as a culture. I feel better now because I know a little bit more about how we lived before we got here."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/25/education/25philly.html?th&emc=th

[fasttense]

1. I wonder if the course mentions all the amazing African Americans who have

contributed to our American Society? So many of them are ignored or their efforts are credited to white men. Did you know the inventor of the gas mask was an African American and a white man got a medal for the invention? I hope it does justice to their brilliant contributions.

[wildeyed]

2. Sounds comprehensive.

According to a course outline developed by district officials, the course will focus on how Africans became Americans through the colonial period, efforts of slaves to achieve freedom, the Civil War and its aftermath, economic development for blacks through the last century, the civil rights movement and the growth of modern black nationalist movements in the United States and Africa.

[Igel]

12. Sounds selective.

I suspect the history of slavery in Africa will only deal with the European contribution to it; the history of despotism will only deal with its European contribution and roots.

There's a lot of positive material there, and a lot of negative material as well. Just as in US history, and just as in European and Asian history. US and European history used to just deal with the positives; now there's a very large focus on the negatives.

I wonder how the African-American and African history will be presented.

[bpilgrim]

16. African-American history

i don't think they are talking about the history of Africa.

peace

[Igel]

19. Not mostly, but partly.

It'll include "the growth of modern black nationalist movements in the United States and Africa." (Quotes from article linked to in OP.)

"The course is designed to alter those perceptions by reviewing the origins of civilization in Africa and early developments in African history before tracking the movement of Africans to North America as slaves."

It's mostly African-American history, but it seems to also look at African history when the curriculum builders see fit.

[LARED]

3. I think the course is a great idea

I find it troubling that it is mandated. Seems to be overkill to me. Do high schools mandate a specific language or science or math course for the students as well? Why is History different?

[wildeyed]

4. Other specific courses are required for graduation.

Now this course is required, too :shrug:

[LARED]

5. Perhaps things have changes since I was in high school

History, science, English, math classes are required for graduation. Taking math as an example, students can take business, algebra, trig, or any number of math based courses to meet the math requirement.

IMO History should be no different. American History should be mandated and African American history should be a elective.

[Heddi]

85. when I graduated HS (1994)

In South Carolina, you needed the following classes to get a diploma:

3 years of Mathematics (General math, algebra, geometry, algebra II, Trig, Calculus)

4 years of Science (General Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Astronomy, Biology I, Biology II, AP Biology I, AP Biology II)

4 years of English (Basic English, CP English I-IV, Honours English I-IV, AP English III-IV)

4 Years Social Science (US History, World History (Honors or General), AP US History, Geography (General, Honors, or AP)

8 Electives (Foreign Language, Economics, "Junior Justice" (civics), AP US Government, Art, PE, Drivers Ed)
---

I don't see requiring African American History as being any different than requiring any of the other classes needed to graduate. It's one class, one year. Not like a whole schedule of classes (The Biologies, for example, or the Algebra II, Geometry, Calculus schedule that many students took).

[gorbal]

74. Good, it should be

You know it would be a republican complaining about it to. Please don't agree with him.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. What an emphatically stupid idea...

It's one thing to mandate that history be taught in a more inclusive manner, another thing altogether to demand that students take a course on the specific history of one particular group to the exclusion of all others. Students understand little enough about the intellectual underpinning of this county (which gives rise to the idiotic notion of "original intent" and the Rehnquist Court). Now we're going to take time that could be spend learning (really learning) what it means to be an American, and engage in the masturbatory practice of "studying myself."

As to the young man's complaint that society sees African Americans as "gangsters, drug dealers, and killers," that's hardly the fault of what's in the history textbooks, now is it? I would say what the largest blame lies with popular culture, a culture that is by and large maintained by the same group of people who bemoan its ill effects. Every gunshot that rings through an African American neighborhood is the fault of a) the person who fired the gun and b) the people in the neighborhood who tolerate that kind of behavior and c) a culture the discriminates socially and economically against African Americans.

The PROBLEM is that by addressing only Point C, people lose sight of the fact that nothing is going to happen until you do something about Point A and Point B. Republicans are, of course, stunningly successful at addressing Point A -- lock 'em up and throw away the key. But that's still not enough. Neighborhoods need to come together and decide that they're not going to tolerate crackheads plying their trade on their street corners and packs of teenagers roaming the streets until the early hours of the morning. When those neighborhoods get serious about changing their environment, we'll see some change.

All of which has not the first thing to do with the curriculum in Philadelphia city schools.

[SemperEadem]

7. short sighted

When those neighborhoods get serious about changing their environment, we'll see some change.

When those neighborhoods have the economic wherewithall to be able to provide employment to the young people in the area so that dealing crack on the street corner isn't seen as the only way to get money in their pockets, then you'll see the change happening. But people need to have jobs; they need to work. If companies pull out of these areas and they become economically depressed, then one of two industries move in: porn and drugs. The funny thing is is that it's not relegated to just the black communities. Rural areas who have lost industry and commerce become havens for meth labs because that's the only commerce that will move and turn over big $$.

[mbperrin]

11. In the Texas adopted US History text, there is exactly one mention

of any black by name - George Washington Carver, and he rates about 1/4 page. The only Hispanic? Cesar Chavez, who rates one paragraph. Even though the Alamo is mentioned, Santa Ana never is identified by name, just to give you an idea. Yes, that inclusive education is liable to happen, isn't it?

BTW, this IS the inclusive textbook, by state mandate. The old one didn't have even this. Since the school I teach in is 68% Hispanic, there's a rather large disconnect there....

As to societal effects, let's see. First, let's strip you and everyone else of your ethnicity of your language, customs, family history, name, and even the continent of your residence. Then for three centuries, let's buy and sell you and yours, distributing you at random wherever commerce dictates, again without any means of establishing even a "legitimate" family unit that can't be torn apart at a moment's notice. Let's throw in casual sexual use of the women of your group by the owners and casual murder and cruelty as well.

Then, let's call you "free" and spend another century lynching, discriminating, prohibiting voting and property ownership, let's even make you ride the back of the bus for which you pay the same fare. Let's give you the same awful back-breaking jobs you had under slavery and pay you extemely low wages with no benefits of any kind. Let's even use you for medical experimentation without your knowledge or informed consent.

Now let's check in on you and see how YOU'RE doing economically! Hmm..Ayn Rand says the WILL is all that counts for success, so either Ayn Rand and her "free" market buddies are full of self-serving shit, or everyone's doing great.

Pick one, please. Thanks.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

20. This is not an inclusive text...

Philadelphia now requires a separate (but equal, perhaps?) course in African American history. You can't study American history piece-meal. Should we be doing a better job teaching American history? Of course. Is carving up "niche markets" for history and massaging public opinion the best way to do it? No.

[mbperrin]

23. We do study history, all history, piecemeal. Trouble is, we don't

study all the pieces. We don't study ANY of some of the pieces. Examples: Texas History - mandatory in 7th grade. Begins with white Americans coming to the Mexican state of Tejas. There was nothing before this?

Then: US History to 1870: mandatory in 8th grade. Actually European history from 1460 to 1760 or so, when it becomes the history of the 13 colonies, some of whom became mad at the others, then got over it. Sherman's March to the Sea? Nope. Economic analysis (contemporary) showing how the South slave states could never defeat the North? Uh-uh. Six Flags Over Texas Time, baby, but don't worry about all six flags.

Then; World Geography in 9th grade. Really Western European geography.

Then: US History 1870 to present, but really to the end of WWII. (10th grade) Marching arm in arm, Americans save the world several times. Spanish-American War? Nope. Jim Crow? Nah. Lynchings? Martin Luther King? No time. Vietnam? No time.

Then: 11th grade: Elective: European History.

Then: 12th grade: Government and Economics, where kindly white men mostly from England or descended from the English, make the world aok.

I'm not guessing, I've taught all of these courses and am certified in each. The courses are taught to a statewide standard called TEKS, and then tested with standardized tests called TAKS. (You can see these at the Texas Education Agency website.) I've got ten years in teaching at the secondary level, and I can't begin to tell you how controversial income distribution (just the fact that there is one!) is.

So history is already chopped up, just to suit the powers that be. I'll always be thankful I had a grandfather who was an organizer for the IWW in the oil fields of west Texas in the 1920s, as well as close contact with all four of my immigrant grandparents, who gave us some unvarnished facts about US history. (Like during WWI, when the locals came to my grandad's farm, burned down his barn (had a German symbol on it, doncha know), beat the hell out of him, made him spit on a German flag, and then took him to town to take all his money out of the bank to buy Liberty Bonds.

And such as that.

[kath]

65. "how the South slave states could never beat the North"????

IOW, it was the "War of Northern Agression", as they call it in the old Confederacy??

[mbperrin]

24. I forgot to mention that idea of the inclusive text won't work - this IS

Texas' idea of inclusion, and Texas text decisions affect the entire USA - google around and you'll be astounded.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

27. Texas textbook decisions effect the entire USA

Based on your description of the U.S. history book adopted by the State of Texas, that knowledge doesn't fill me with confidence.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. Yes that is true

California too. The reason is that both of these states have mandated textbooks statewide. So every kid in the state uses the same History textbook, etc.

Both states are also lucrative markets for textbook salesmen.

[ninkasi]

29. Your post reminds me

of arguments I used to have with my mother, but this was in the 50s, when I was a teen-ager. We visited my grandmother every Sunday, and the trip involved driving through one of the black "wards", as they were called in Houston.

I saw the shotgun houses, the shabby lawns, the people, sitting on front porches in the Summer, and kept pestering my mother about how unfair it was that blacks had to live in certain areas, and weren't permitted to live in others. I knew that black schools made do with textbooks that were too old and worn out to be considered good enough for white schools.

I rode on buses where the sometimes 5 or 6 white people had the whole front of the bus, and if there were more black people on the bus, too bad, they had to stand, if the back was full, rather than being able to sit in the front of the bus.

I went into department stores downtown, with two women's and two men's bathrooms, since they had to be separate. Same thing with drinking fountains. The same with churches, restaurants, movie houses, and everything else.

The attitude of people, even otherwise good people like my mother, was that blacks lived in slums, went to run-down schools, and had menial jobs, or no jobs, because they somehow didn't strive for anything better. Even as a teen, I knew that was wrong. I argued that if all citizens were treated equally, it would help to change living conditions, and it should start with education.

Sometimes, my mother cried, because she felt that I would face problems in live, if I voiced my attitudes to people other than family. My mother died right before my twentieth birthday, so I have no idea whether her attitude would have changed in time. I like to think that it would have.

For people today, though, for those who didn't live to see what things were like before integration, I think there needs to be some kind of studies that include African American history. If being bothered by what I saw, and feeling sick about it was hard for me, a white girl, I try, but can not really comprehend, what it must have been like to be black.

What I saw was relatively benign, compared to areas where the cowardly KKK felt free to lynch, and terrorize black families. And before that, the days of slavery. Imagine the image of a human being having a hot branding iron sear their flesh, to prove who owned them. While black Americans are no longer seared with a hot iron, for some, for many, they can feel the pain of branding on their hearts and souls.

How can we ever hope to heal as a nation, to truly say that we all have the same rights, if we are not willing to honestly learn the history of how things came to be? Studying African American history can spotlight the courage, the dignity, and endurance, of a people who were sold into slavery, and are still striving to overcome the centuries of abuse.

Look at us here at DU...our hero is Conyers; look at our recent past, and see that after the sham election in 2000, the CBC was the only group with the courage to issue a challenge. Look at our members of the Congress, and at the many, many black faces we see fighting tirelessly for the soul of our nation.

I wish, with all my heart, that back in the 1950's, when I was in school, I could have learned more of the truth of African American history. Maybe if we all had, it might have made a difference. I realize that I have only indulged in giving my own opinion, about my own experiences, but I believe that courses in African American history would be good for all of us.

[mbperrin]

33. Thank you. In Odessa, where I grew up and live now,

blacks were really invisible; they could go to the local hospital, but had to be treated in the basement, which was the morgue. I never saw a black person on the area's main employment, oil rigs and their support services. There was 1 black elementary, 1 black junior high, and 1 black high school; there were 38 schools for whites.

And more. Of course, during the late 1960s, when it was discovered that some black guys could really play football, a few, and just a few, were allowed to attend Permian and Odessa highs (yes, this is the Friday Night Lights town).

We finally got everyone going to the same schools in 1980 (not a typo), and here we are with a US History book with a partial page about one black person.

Long way to go.

[Bill McBlueState]

51. Hey, I just finished reading Friday Night Lights

It astounded me that the schools there were only integrated in 1982. But I was also inspired by the handful of "blue" people in Odessa who tried to do what was right academically and racially.

[mbperrin]

52. There ARE some! But it can get a bit lonely here 20 miles

from Midland, Tom Craddick's hometown and the * touchstone in west Texas! It really was a good book, wasn't it?

[kath]

67. "being bothered by what I saw {concerning race}" - this made me think of

the wonderful Molly Ivins and something she wrote, so I went and looked it up.

In the intro to her first book, "Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She?" she writes:

"I'm supposed to explain myself in this introduction - specifically, how come I came out so strange. Having been properly reared by a right-wing family in East Texas, how'd I turn out this peculiar? I believe all Southern liberals come from the same starting point - race. Once you figure out they are lying to you about race, you start to question everything.
If you grew up white before the civil rights movement anywhere in the South, all grown-ups lied. They'd tell you stuff like, "Don't drink out of the colored fountain, dear, it's dirty." In the white part of town, the white fountain was always covered with chewing gum and the marks of grubby kids' paws, and the colored fountain was always clean. Children can be horribly logical."

[bpilgrim]

14. in your opinion - in my opinion it is a wonderful idea, embarrassing late

hopefully more peoples history will be mandated as time goes on instead of the JUST the tall white guys.

if more folks knew about the struggles and noble history of other peoples in this society the teeVee wouldn't be able to get away with their stereo types.

this punk philly kid salutes the educators of philly and hope more follow their lead :toast:

peace

[Kipling]

17. Point A and B should come after Point C

I've worked in areas where the underclass lives both here and in the USA, and I just don't know where to begin. It's hard to tell somebody that violence is wrong when their entire family has been tied to it all their lives. It's hard to tell people to separate themselves from the only society they can afford.
But most of all, it's hard to tell someone to give up on hope. And to the underclass, crime is hope. What else can you aspire to? Your role models, and realistic limits to your dreams, tell you that crime is the path to happiness. It's the only way to gain respect in a society that spits on you. It's the only way to pass the time, the only exitement on offer, and the only way to express yourself. Nearly everything that we, the higher castes of society, express through work, social life and leisure they can usually only express through violent crime and drugs. Yes, people have free will, and yes, they can choose not to get involved. But when temptation is this cruel, it takes a hero to resist. When the social order is changed and someone born on welfare can really aspire to become a leading politician or a CEO, that'll be when it's time for Points A and B.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

21. How is that going to happen, I wonder?

Can you convince voters (and those with money) to invest in the most festering shitholes in America based on a promise that somehow things will magically get better? Until and unless people and whole neighborhoods take responsibility for themselves, nothing is going to change. For all of his faults, people like Louis Farrakhan send a powerful and constructive message.

[wildeyed]

25. In some countries, they don't allow the festering shit holes to get

started in the first place. The poor are not concentrated into one neighborhood. Instead, they live throughout the community. So all neighborhoods have some low income housing, as well as more middle class digs. And it seems to work.

It is frustrating for me to listen to you blame the entire community for the problems. Most people who live in these communities are law abiding. Their one flaw, they are too poor to move out. Anyone who can leave, does. What do you suggest they do to better "take responsibility for themselves"?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

26. It's called a telephone

See some guy selling drugs out the car window? Call the cops. If they don't come fast enough, call the Mayor. If he doesn't respond, then call the Media, and get fifty people from your neighborhood church and spend Friday night holding an ice cream social on the most crime-infested street corner in the area.

And when the knuckleheads move to another corner, follow them there. Keep disrupting their operations until they get out of the business or get out of town. When the politicians and the "money" in the surrounding community get the idea that the people who live in the neighborhood are serious about change, the resources will follow.

[wildeyed]

28. 'k, you are officially invited to my city to carry out your plan of attack

Also note, an anti-drug community activist in my city was murdered by drug gangs. This is not uncommon. So when you are carrying out your plan of attack, remember that you are putting your life and the life of your family at risk.

edit: sp

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

32. Murdered by drug dealers

I take it back, changing the curriculum in the schools will scare their asses right out of town!

You know why conservatives beat our ass on things like crime and national defense? It's because they read tripe like this and somehow come to the conclusion that liberals can't be trusted to defend themselves or their communities.

[wildeyed]

34. Huh?

You said that community members should take more responsibility for there communities by calling the cops on offenders, etc.

I said that the offenders are violent scary people and sometimes take revenge on those who turn them in to the authorities. I was inferring that maybe your view was a tad naive.

To clarify, I don't think teaching black history in the schools is a substitute for police OR national defense. :crazy:

I do think that teaching black history is important and can have a beneficial impact on people's lives. Eventually that impact may translate into an improvement in the community. But isn't that the purpose of all education? To improve people's lives and therefor benefit the larger community?

[bpilgrim]

35. lol

they don't "beat our ass on things like crime and national defense" because they read 'TRIPE' on DU they simply spew nonsense on all the media outlets to make YOU think that and then get YOU to repeat the NONSENSE.

peace

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

40. I'm repeating nonsense from this board...

Crime Is Hope? Yeah, that line will play well in the next municipal election. The "I'm the victim" line of thought gets awfully tiresome -- it's not alway the media's fault. Sometimes we're just full of shit, and don't blame those awful conservatives for pointing out the obvious.

I have yet to hear one substantive answer from anybody on this thread other than variations upon, "Ooo, the bad men are so scary." Let me tell you something, The bad men are generally punk-assed teenagers who will generally run like rabbits when somebody stands up to them.

I've worked among the mentally ill in the inner city and have seen them beaten and robbed by serial predators. The shelter where I volunteered started having "brunch" on random, unannounced days of the week right out on the street corner (got some local businesses to support it financially). When the drug dealers and pimps realized that a two dozen people (plus cops) might show up in the middle of their business transactions at any moment and without notice, they took their business elsewhere.

Local churches reclaimed a nearby city park by simply showing up (all day) and being a presence. They don't do anything but walk around and keep their eye on things. Bad guys don't like people watching them do their business, so they go somewhere else. Do that in the whole neighborhood and they'll leave. Do in the whole town, and they'll move away. Do it in every town in America, and you'll be on to something.

Or we can blame the media and offer new history classes.

[bpilgrim]

46. "Crime Is Hope?" - more RW wacko talking points

that no one said here cept YOU.

and i notice you spew a whole lot of'em in your latest post, maybe you should read my post again.

and since most of your post is regurgitated RW nonsense i can't make heads or tails of it especially since this thread is about teaching African-American HISTORY in HS.

so i take it you don't like history... well fine, just keep your ignorance to yourself then, please.

thank you :hi:

peace

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

56. See Post #17

"To the underclass, crime is hope. What else can you aspire to?"

[bpilgrim]

57. you are missing the point

on all accounts

peace

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

63. Thanks for being so condescending...

I'm sure that I am mistaken and that you are correct.

[VRine]

87. It's common knowledge

I live about 40 miles from a large city. Friends tell me its common knowledge that a whistleblower and/or their family members (including young children) will be targeted for execution.

[proud2BlibKansan]

39. Have you ever lived or worked in

one of these neighborhoods? For one thing, the 'knuckleheads' on the corner are usually packing heat. Go ahead and have your ice cream social down there next Friday and let us know how it goes. We'll join you the next week. :crazy:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

41. Yes to both...

Church and civic groups are doing this in cities all over the country. Apparently they're not as easily frightened as some people on this board.

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. Not much activity like that here in my city

the crime rate has skyrocketed this spring and summer.

We need law and order, lots more cops, social workers, social programs, job programs and lots of other outreach programs before we have ice cream socials on the corner.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

44. Don't fixate on ice cream socials...

Criminals are like spiders...they thrive in places that are left alone. The minute law-abiding people establish a presence on the block, and when it becomes clear that criminal behavior isn't tolerated, they move on. But more cops, social workers, community programs, and jobs are part of the mix, to be sure.

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. I work in the hood

We saw improved public housing and less crime before 2000. SInce the rethuglicans have taken over the country, crime is on the rise again. Unemployment is up. It is not a pretty picture.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

55. Dumbest Policy Change Ever...

As a result of the 1994 Republican take-over of the House, funding for "Midnight Basketball" was eliminated in most cities -- mostly because of cuts to CDBG. Republicans derided it as being "soft on crime" and touted three-strikes laws as an alternative.

An evening sports program is absolutely the smartest crime-fighting idea ever. The "good kids" have a place to go that's adult-supervised (often off-duty cops and neighborhood dads, no less) so they don't fall into crime (either as perpetrators or victims) and the cops on the street know that if the "good kids" are over at the gym playing basketball, then they need to keep a close eye on the rest of the kids roaming the neighborhood. Odds are they're up to no good.

If anything, I would have doubled the funding to provide tutoring during the school year, in addition to any other outreach training or education that could be provided. How about a Sex Ed class aimed right at young girls so they take charge of their own bodies? It was nothing but stupidity and short-sightedness on the part of the Republican Majority -- which seems to be their signature of governance.

[proud2BlibKansan]

59. Our former mayor who is now the US congressman

for this area fought long and hard to have that program funded and restored. If I am not mistaken, it started here.

And yes, the crime rate has shot up since this program's funding was cut. One interesting side effect is that kids from the hood are now coming to the burbs to play basketball in the parks. And the cops in the burbs are racial profiling like crazy when pulling cars over. So another problem has emerged.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

64. Same in my old suburb...

The city can't afford to keep their swimming pools open, so the kids naturally go where the fun is (and the cold water). Not that I begrudge them a cool dip in the pool on a hot day, mind you, but it's a disgrace that people have to leave their neighborhood to get basic services. And when it's 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity, I consider a pool a basic service.

[wildeyed]

49. I have lived in "those" neighborhoods.

Most of the people who live there are just keeping their heads down and noses clean until they can afford to move out. And that is one of the problems. The minute a family achieves any level of financial stability, they are gone, further concentrating the poverty.

And having lived in these neighborhoods, it bothers me that you are accusing myself, friends and former neighbors of some sort of malfeasance simply because drug gangs operated nearby. They had guns, they shot them allot, frequently in front of my apartment building. Excuse me for not rushing out to shoo them away.

I do know and volunteer with many committed neighborhood activists. They don't claim to have all the answers. But it is not as easy as organizing a few community events and calling the police when you see the bad guys.

[kath]

68. YES, in many European countries, they WON the "war on poverty" and

it has been nearly eliminated.
Sadly, the economy in this country seems to require the presence of a permanent underclass...

[XemaSab]

86. And what countries are these

pray tell?

[wildeyed]

22. People born on welfare have become CEOs, successful entrepreneurs,

and just plain happy, contributing, law abiding members of society.

I read an interesting article a while back. It was about a man (famous, but I can't remember his name. but the story stuck with me), who is black, growing up in a poor, crime ridden neighborhood, his father gone allot, mother mentally ill, etc. But he became incredibly successful in business. And he attributes his success to imagination. He would go to the library and read Ebony. He says just seeing successful, middle class blacks on a glossy magazine page, he was able to imagine himself in that world. And if you can imagine it, you can do it.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

61. What unadulterated horsecrap...

Because one guy in a zillion goes from poverty to CEO, some nitwit writes about book about "envisioning" success and people think it's all a matter of maintaining a positive outlook. That sort of thinking allows Republicans to blame poor people for their own "lack of success." Let's get a couple of things clear, here.

1) People who live in poor neighborhoods are playing against a stacked deck. The fact is that the cost of living (essentials like groceries, rents per square foot) are more expensive in the poorest parts of town. And then there are the "Rent To Own" operations and the "Instant Refund" tax joints they suck the neighborhood dry financially. They can't rise above that through the power of positive thinking, but progressive legislation can keep the financial predators at bay.

2) People who live in poor neighborhoods can (must) take control of their streets. Woody Allen once said that 90% of success lies in "just showing up" and that's what will push street punks off the corner. When they are surrounded by law-abiding citizens (and watched by Community-Oriented Policing -- and while we're at it, I'm a big fan of security cameras in public places), bad guys find other places to conduct their business. As long as you're willing to accept that crime is "a fact of life" in these neighborhoods, crime will remain a fact of life.

3) Poor neighborhoods don't have to be dangerous and they don't have to be slums. Streets can be clean and safe. Neighborhood schools can provide a decent education. Parks and other recreational facilities can be maintain and accessible. It takes cooperation between the neighborhood residents, the government, and the private sector. But until and unless the residents take the lead, the private sector won't invest and the government won't act.

[wildeyed]

69. I think it is called the talented 10%.

Some people can rise above anything, most can't. FYI I don't consider myself part of that talented group, and I don't think "envisioning success" is a replacement for good social policy. It was simply an inspiring article about an exceptionally bright and imaginative man. You seem to be reading more into my posts than is actually present.

So I quote an article I read about a guy who actually grew up in a tough neighborhood, and that is "horsecrap", but you get to quote Woody Allen to make your point? I'll be sure to go out to the hood and tell them that "90% of success lies in "just showing up" That will surely inspire them to do better.

:rofl:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

80. Missed the point by a mile...

An effective way to reduce crime in any neighborhood is for law-abiding citizens to spend more time out on the streets and in their yards and keeping an eye on the neighborhood. It's the entire point behind the National Night Out organization. By simply being out in their community, as opposed to in their homes watching television or surfing the net (gulp), they have an impact on crime. Simply put, crooks and citizens don't mix, and when the crooks are out-numbered, they go away. Hence my quote from Woody Allen -- all people need to do (for starters, anyway) is to just show up.

BTW, National Night Out this year is August 2.

[wildeyed]

82. And that is fine.

What I object to is the tone of your earlier posts blaming law abiding citizens for crime in their neighborhoods.

And it doesn't negate the fact that in many struggling neighborhoods, the more financially stable members of the community will move away rather than deal with the crime and schools.

And it doesn't negate the fact, either, that the real way to deal with poverty is to dilute it throughout the community. Put low income housing in middle income neighborhoods. Reduces crime, improves schools and gives all children in our communities a safe place to grow up.

[pie]

70. Many valid points there

I have participated in the 'take back our neighborhood'
campaign in Milwaukee. It starts grassroots
and builds. It works.

[wickerwoman]

43. What in God's name makes you think

studying African American history and studying what it means to be an American are mutually exclusive?

The problem is that nowhere near enough people understand and appreciate the extent to which American history *is* about African American history. Why is America a super-power today? It wouldn't have anything to do with the estimated $3 trillion dollars worth of free labor we got from the slaves would it? And by continuing to ignore what this population contributes to our society and our culture (and they are major, major contributions) we perpetuate the social problems that have plagued us for 300 years.

I am a white American. To be a white American means to carry the scar and the shame of slavery, racism and genocide and to use that shame to forge a commitment to stamping it out wherever I see it. When we ignore the past, when we whitewash it, when we pretend that African American history isn't "real history" but a "masturbatory" self-indulgence, we don't erase that scar. We only increase the contempt felt for us by others, we deepen the chasm between the races, we commit to another generation of hatred and oppression and most importantly we lose that opportunity to better ourselves and our future which is the whole point of education.

Your post is a perfect example, not only of why the class is needed, but why it should be mandatory.

[wildeyed]

48. Well said, bezdomny. n/t

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

62. And your post...

is an example of why conservatives beat us silly in red states...

You carry "the scar and shame of slavery, racism and genocide," do you? Damnation, that must be rough! What in the hell do you do in your spare time? I'm from German ancestry, should I be carrying the scar and shame of the holocaust? I'm guessing that you believe that guilt should be included as an Olympic Sport...

Let me repeat. Kids learn little enough about what America is and why it is, without indulging in a sidetrip to study minorities. Should the basic textbook be more inclusive? Absolutely. One post on this thread said that the Texas history books contain only one (maybe two, I forget) mentions of African Americans. Normally, I'm not a big fan of book-burning, but in this case I'd make an exception...

Do kids need to be taught that slavery for African Americans and genocide of the American Indian was morally contemptible? You bet they do. Do they need a whole semester of it, at the expense of having a better grasp of, say, their rights under the constitution? I think not.

Tell you what. Let's increase the school day by two hours (a topic for another thread, I'm sure) and I'll be more than happy to include African American history in the curriculum. But as long as we have to pick and choose what kids are learning, we need to pick and choose wisely.

[wildeyed]

71. You know what, this is only your opinion.

"Do kids need to be taught that slavery for African Americans and genocide of the American Indian was morally contemptible? You bet they do. Do they need a whole semester of it, at the expense of having a better grasp of, say, their rights under the constitution? I think not."

And you are not doing a stellar job of explaining why you think your opinion is better, other than that is what you think. Instead, you are muddying the water with a bunch of incorrect assumptions about people's view of crime and social policy. Which has not much to do at all with the topic at hand.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

79. OK, Let's be clear then...

Inner city schools are struggling. All of them. The idiotic policy of "school vouchers" maintains its support because people see a failed education bureaucracy. Now I think that you and I both know that smaller classrooms and better training and pay for our teachers will go a long way toward alleviating that. Individualized lesson plans will got a long way further.

So when the public sees a struggling inner city school system and the school board's solution is, "Hey! We've got it! Let's require a course in African American history!" can you understand how that would appear to be "typical liberal pandering" and not an effective solution? Can you see how this sort of crap plays straight into the hands of the "burn down the public sector" base of the Republican Party?

A course in African American history, while it may make people feel all warm and fuzzy inside, isn't going to do the first damned thing to solve the problems of public schools (see paragraph one) and can actually make things measurably worse.

[wildeyed]

81. I don't think teaching black history is the school board's

solution to all of public education's woes. They simply believe it will provide the students with a better and more well rounded education. That is all.

"You cannot understand American history without understanding the African-American experience; I don't care what anybody says," said Paul G. Vallas, the school system's chief executive, who is white. "It benefits African-American children who need a more comprehensive understanding of their own culture, and it also benefits non-African-Americans to understand the full totality of the American experience."

And I agree with that statement. You cannot understand American history if you don't understand the roll and contributions of African-Americans in this country.

As to the idea that teaching AA history will alienate RW bigots, you are probably right. But the really hardcore bigots, we were never going to get them anyway.

[zinndependence]

78. i agree with some of what you say, however...

I'm sure the purpose behind a course such as this is not to solve all problems in the inner city...it is an attempt to do SOMETHING. I agree that there are many "socializing factors" which play a role in the so-called plight of inner city youth. Obviously the media plays a huge role...but so do our educational institutions. What about the effects of the "hidden curriculum" on youth attending predominately Black/Latino schools? (Schools with few role models reflecting the race/culture of the majority of students attending those schools, or courses/textbooks/resources that neglect the perspectives of every racial/ethnic group)

Just as "Women's History Month," "Black History Month," etc. are perhaps temporary attempts to raise awareness of the contributions, etc. of traditionally neglected groups, this course too may be a necessary measure right now. Hopefully the day will soon come when courses such as this and "----Months" will no longer be necessary because all histories/cultures, etc. will be appreciated.

[mark414]

84. it sounds like you need to take this class for yourself

[lynne]

8. Where's the required course on Native American history?

After all, they were here first.

[Laughing Mirror]

10. No, they don't count either, in the Eurocentric vision of America

The natives were subhuman, just collateral, something in the way that had to be done away with, to the tune of many millions. And the history of those who somehow survived only began when white civilived man arrived. We all know that. There's no controversy there. After all, that is what our history books taught us back in school, didn't they?

[bpilgrim]

15. there are a lot of folks left out, lets hope this starts a needed trend

it gives me hope.

peace

[Laughing Mirror]

9. Only took 40 years too

Democracy American style in action, from the City of Brotherly Love.

What about those 40 acres and that mule we heard so much about 140 years ago, America? When will that promise be kept?

[Igel]

13. Link.

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1994/4/94.04.01.x.html

Search on "40" in the webpage. Apparently the '40 acres + mule' was largely a myth. Mostly a promise for land that didn't pass muster in law--it started, and wasn't later legalized--or it started as a Special Order under Sherman for a limited area, and was revoked as unworkable in the long run.

If Freeman's demonstrably wrong, I'd let me know where to get the facts.

[deadparrot]

18. I just think it's sad

that our country has to seperate the courses.

I'm assuming these kids also have to take a course titled "American history"? Why are African Americans banished from under that title and put into their own course? They're just as American as me (and I'm, admittedly, about as white as it gets).

I also think it's awful how little non-western history is required, or even offered, at the high school level. As a history buff, it's very discouraging.

[Zhade]

30. Good.

NT!

[Rockholm]

31. Dumb Idea. Sorry. n/t

[bpilgrim]

36. how can teaching history be 'dumb'?

:shrug:

peace

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. This is surprising

I would think this course would have been added years ago. I believe it is a required course in most large urban districts.

[bpilgrim]

47. Philadelphia the first major city to require such a course for HS grad

"making Philadelphia the first major city to require such a course for high school graduation."

from the article... and i agree it is surprising that this is only now just happening and so far they are the first.

African-Americans have an amazing and tragic history that should be highlighted and celebrated especially in our public schools.

peace

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. Now I question the veracity of the rest of the article

Because I know this is NOT true. I teach in a major city and we have required African American history for a number of years now.

[bpilgrim]

54. is it a REQUIREMENT for HS graduation?

if so what city?

it certainly is news for philly, though

:hi:

peace

[proud2BlibKansan]

58. My colleagues who teach Social Studies say yes it is

but all the website lists is how many credits are required in Social Studies, without specifics.

I will keep looking for a link.

[bpilgrim]

66. what city?

:hi:

peace

[bpilgrim]

83. kick

:hi:

peace

[fasttense]

50. Teaching this course will never solve all the problems

that slavery, Jim crow laws and poverty have caused. But how can teaching the truth be bad? By not including much about African Americans in our white history books, we deny the truth. Yeah it is sad that we have to have a special course on it. I also think we need a special course on American Indians and Women. But that is another fight for another day.

[Vladimir]

60. And a very good thing too n/t

[Merlin]

72. At first I thought this was a stupid idea.

Then I remembered we've been shoving white history down the throats of black people for as long as we've allowed black kids into schools.

This is a good move, and I'm proud of Phila. for it.

[bicentennial_baby]

73. Excellent

Modern African History was a course that taught me soooooo much...it was invaluable.

[NNguyenMD]

75. African American history is distinctly AMERICAN history. The role African

Americans have played in the shaping of the Democracy we have today is matched by few other ethnic groups that reap the benefits of those freedoms.

I think its absolutely vital that ALL Americans learn that the values that they cherish most, standing up for your human rights, showing humanity for others regardless of skin color, and equality are possible because of the role African Americans have played throughout American history.

Accept it or not, African Americans ARE American History, and learning about it is just as vital to understanding American History as it is learning about Eurocentric American History.

[proud2BlibKansan]

76. In an ideal world,

African American History would be included in any decent American History course. There would be no need for a separate class.

[zinndependence]

77. great idea...however, wouldn't it be nice...

if all subjects were fully inclusive of all perspectives... The problem with a single class like this, is that it may send the message that Black History is not American History...it is something....hmmmm separate, or not as important. Hopefully you get my point. You would think by now teachers would be more cognizant of the necessity of multicultural inclusion in all courses...especially history. I guess until we get to that point, things like Women's History Month, Black History Month, a Black History course, etc. will be necessary.

One last thing....I think a course such as this, or perhaps one more inclusive of all perspectives (Native American, women, etc.) is even more necessary in rural, predominately white schools...but that's just me.

May I recommend Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and James Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me. And of course, anything put out by Rethinking Schools is excellent!