Diverse history needs to be taught in U.S. schools to eradicate racism, and students of color could learn about something that actually relates to them.
As a student of color, I find it hard to find the motivation to actually pay attention in class when we are only learning about religious non-Hispanic Europeans. We aren’t even taught about black leaders, even during the black history month. There’s so much left out of history classes: Katherine Johnson, Claudette Colvin, Dr. Gladys West, The Tulsa Race Massacre, Bessie Coleman, etc.
Racism is created by ignorance that comes from fear and stereotypes. For example, the violent outbreak of Asian hate crimes after the COVID-19 outbreak, violence towards black men due to the stereotype of them being violent, and Anti-Arab hate crimes caused by 9/11. Racism is ignorance that becomes fear, and that fear becomes hatred.
I agree with Dennis Kostecki, who writes, “White Americans are not only ignorant of racism but also of their own ignorance. They don’t know that they don’t know. They have no idea why ghettos still remain and are indifferent to them.” If we educate people about the history of people of color (POC), we could possibly encourage equality and lessen the discrimination POC face in America. The “United States” is supposed to be equal for everyone, but it isn’t. Critical Race Theory isn’t “re-writing history.” It’s about telling the truth.
In conclusion, more American and POC history needs to be taught in U.S. schools because it would lower race-based hate crimes that many people of color face today due to ignorance and fear. A diverse historical curriculum will also make history interesting to students of color. Schools have a powerful platform; it is time they recognize the potential of removing hate from our society through an inclusive history curriculum.
- United States