Friday, January 30, 2009

Black History Month

"If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated."-Carter G. Woodson, "Negro History Week" in The Journal of Negro History Vol. 11, No.2, April 1926

These words were written shortly after the creation of Negro History week in 1926, which later became Black History Month. Though his academic work, the "Father of Black History," Carter G. Woodson, fought racism and was a pioneer in the field of African American Studies.

There are many opportunities to highlight the imprint of African Americans on the Constitution. The recent national event for students, The Exchange: Is the Constitution Color-blind? allows students to deliberate and engage with each other and the Constitution on this topic.

If you can't bring your students to the groundbreaking America I AM: The African American Imprint exhibition, bring the story to your students with the many resources that have been created in conjunction with the exhibition, covering many pivotal moments in American history.

With February approaching, what will you do to celebrate Black History Month?

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