The experience of Black descendants of American slavery is far more American History than African American History. Though Black Americans have impacted and been impacted by this nation, we have never set the course of this country. That has always been the responsibility and right solely of White Americans.
It is in fact American History, rather than African American History, that our fore-parents were purchased, traded and used like merchandise. This is as much African American history as it is the mule’s history when it was rigged up to plow the farmer’s field. Both our fore-parents and the mule were mere objects used for the desires of the master in the development of this great nation. In other words, the achievement of the slave is truly the achievement of his master.
Therefore, what proponents of African American History or AAAP (African American Advanced Placement) curriculum want established in schools is simply American History. The lessons about the resilience and determination of African Americans in their pursuit of civil rights, justice, and equality IS ALSO the lesson about the opposition by Whites (those with and without power) to civil rights, justice and equality. Relegating this as African American History often provides a one-sided narration as if it is only relevant to Black students.
Just as Black students learn aspects of this nation’s history that did not directly involve African Americans, the efforts by Blacks to achieve equity in fact does includes Whites as it was their active resistance, systems and laws created and maintained by them that Civil Rights leaders contested. As such, this history should be in the broad lessons of American History.
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