As I prepared to teach this year, I noticed that we tend to start the narrative for African Americans with slavery. I think that helps remove the connection for students to the individuality and humanity of enslaved people. This year we started with African cultures and empires before colonization.
Hi Shalisse. Thanks for the comment. That sounds like a good move. As you certainly know, Africans forced to the Americas brought their culture with them, which helped to shape a distinct African-American culture. Beginning in Africa also avoids a tendency to reduce Black history to the history of slavery. All the best getting through the rest of the school year.
As I prepared to teach this year, I noticed that we tend to start the narrative for African Americans with slavery. I think that helps remove the connection for students to the individuality and humanity of enslaved people. This year we started with African cultures and empires before colonization.
Hi Shalisse. Thanks for the comment. That sounds like a good move. As you certainly know, Africans forced to the Americas brought their culture with them, which helped to shape a distinct African-American culture. Beginning in Africa also avoids a tendency to reduce Black history to the history of slavery. All the best getting through the rest of the school year.