Unit 19- Current African Politics
Unit 22- Looking to the Future
Posted on 06/11/2005 1:13:55 AM PDT by MissouriConservative
PHILADELPHIA - In what could be a first in the United States, the Philadelphia school system will soon require that all high school students take a year of African and African-American studies.
Leaders of the school district, where two-thirds of students are black, hope the course will not only keep those students interested in their academic work but also give others a more accurate view of history.
“We have the opportunity ... to do something under our watch that is really going to do right by our students, to say, ‘We’ve come from some pretty great places,”’ said assistant superintendent Cecilia Cannon.
The course, already offered as an elective at 11 of the city’s 54 high schools, covers topics including classical African civilizations, civil rights and black nationalism, and teachers say it has captivated students.
At the nearly all-black Strawberry Mansion High School, the class chose a top student to have a $360 genetic test designed to help black Americans trace their roots back to Africa. James Sullivan, a senior, learned that his maternal family descends from the Ibo tribe in Nigeria, and that his ancestors came to the United States as slaves.
“There were tears in his eyes, but joy also,” said Principal Lois Powell Mondesire, who added that other students are now interested in genetic testing.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Unit 19- Current African Politics
Unit 22- Looking to the Future
This should be interesting. Don't forget to tell them how lucky they are to be here, that thousands of whites died during the Civil War, that lashing was a common practice for workers, both white and black, that slaves ate well because they needed to be healthy to work, that education and hard work is always better than "socialism" and because their alternative is to be living in Africa....if the ancestry line lasted that long.
What a waste. For the money spent on a $360 genetic test, two less fortunate students could each have a pair of very nice sneakers.
Excellent response, MarkL. Enjoyed reading it.
U Berkeley has already done this: It offers "white studies". But from the liberal perspective.
Even a short google search on black history contributions to america gives one a long list: And just the link to "The History of Black Inventors" gives you some amazing things to ponder. For instance, James S. Adams invented and received a patent for the airplane propeller. Think about the ramificaitons of that invention. Without it, the Wright Brothers would have had to stick with gliders!
A book that should be used for supplemental reading should be The Pride of African American History, but even the title is divisive. What we need to to unite the people, not divide them. America's greatest strength has always come from our "melting pot" society. Yet the "diversity crowd" seems to want not only to keep those things that divide up in our society, but use them as a wedge against unity, and it appears to try to weaken our society.
The simple fact is that we need to have the schools focus on American History, and there's nothing wrong with shining a light on the amazing contributions of blacks, as well as all other people that make up America.
It just seems to me that over the years, there's been a concerted effort by those in education to diminish American history, and try to teach that there's really nothing special about America. Couple that with those who encourage illegal immigration (using the belief that there should be no borders between countries, and that one country or society is no better than any other), it seems that there is an alterior motive after all, which is the destruction of America. Do you think I need a tin-foil hat?
Mark
Just insist that it includes current African topics: Rwanda, Somalia, the Darfur region, Zimbabwe...
Apparently there are some French colonial records in Louisiana which identify slaves by their tribal origin.
Well then, how about a mandatory class on Italian and Italian-American studies, Irish and Irish-American studies, German and German-American studies, Japanese and Japanese-American studies, Chinese and Chinese-American studies etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum.
But, it is a racist history, focusing only on the accomplishments of one people. It doesn't cover American History. Just one segment...
I am a WASP, educated in the 50's and 60's. I saw many changes in our society being wrought, that needed to be happen. But, I was taught about George Washington, and George Washington Carver.
They were both important, once...
I don't know of many places where Dr. Condoleeza Rice could attain one of the highest appointed posts, in this country. Her blackness is often noted. It is less known that she is a skilled and educated administrator, and has the "right things" to hold the highest office. Ain't it a shame that so many, in the black community, team with the white liberals, to squelch her voice...
Which is why, as I said, that the emphasis MUST be on American history. The supposed problem is that blacks are not adequately represented in "white American history." So race baiters say that the way to fix this is to teach "african American" history. Again, I say that this is divisive, as well as damaging to the students. I wonder which is more constructive to a student who needs to become a member of the mainstream society... Learning about how they may or may not be descended from kings in Africa, or about Christopher P. Adams, and his groundbreaking work with nucleic acids? The first reinforces stereotypes, and encourages ill will towards others (we were kings before we were brought over here in chains and made your slaves), while the second encourages someone to explore their own potential.
Again, I'm 100% against the whole concept of "ethnic studies," at least as a core requirement. However, if it requires some additional light be shone on some of the contributions of blacks to American society, then I'm all for it. The key is to teach it as American history.
Mark
Sorry, but I used your quote, and was pinging you, but I was piling onto your sentiments.
I live, most of the time, directly between Richmond and Gettysburg. I was born in NC, but was traveled, and schooled, all over, as a military brat. I was higher educated in NC and NY.
Every where I went, there were ethnic cultures, which brought flavor to the community. I have been in Chinatown in SFO, and in DC. I have been to Irish Fests in NY and Milwawkee. I have eaten Polish sausages with Pols, and tacos with Mexicans. I love Italian pastas, and Japanese Sushi. I have licked the spoon on a pan of bread pudding, and one of jambalaya.
I am happy we live in such a melting pot. It's what has made America become great. It's just a shame it is being frittered away... for the sake of "cultural diversity", and appeasement.
Actually, I'm not going to bash this, because when I was that age I was way into my Irish heritage, and it meant a great deal to me in terms of identity.
Of course, in my 20s I went to Ireland and found out that culture trumps genes and I was American. But that's something that sometimes has to come to people gradually.
The latter half of the statement is an urban legend. Some years ago I attended the annual enshrinement dinner of the Science & Engineering Hall of Fame (I'm currently President of that organization). The honoree that year was Dr. Drew. His grand-nephew accepted the award on his behalf. The nephew stated that although this claim was made on M*A*S*H, it was not true. Dr. Drew was taken to a hospital and given the best treatment available there. He died anyway. It's regrettable that he died, but a false claim doesn't help matters.
"Michael Jackson cut short a tour of Africa back in 1992 as it quickly began turning into a public relations nightmare.
Jackson's visit to Abidjan went off without incident and he was crowned an honorary king by a tribe near the Ghanian border, but in both the Ivory Coast and Tanzania, police brutally beat thousands of fans greeting the singer's arrival.
A spokesperson for the Ivory Coast government, which had urged fans to give Jackson a warm welcome, explained that perhaps the police were a bit brutal but not with the intention on doing any harm.
There was also some unpleasant comment about Jackson's holding his nose when dashing from his plane to his limousine. As one Ivory Coast newspaper editorialized, "This voluntary mutant, neither black nor white, neither man nor woman, took it upon himself to remind us that we are impure."
Jackson's press people quickly explained his nose touching thing was simply a nervous habit.
"
Every time I read about the percentage of the races in high schools I get the strangest notion that there are no white kids left.
On Friday, when Walter Williams was subbing for Rush, he and Thomas Sowell were talking about this. They sure weren't happy, as the PR stuff was going to be highlighted --- not the truth about slavery worldwide.
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