It is a great thing to see high school students pushing for change to make a better society (smile here).
Arne Duncan, a junior high student from Texas has asked for America's help to include a Black history course in US schools.
Below is part of her statement on Change.org with a petition that follows.
Every year, America "recognizes" African-Americans during the month of February and calls it "Black History Month". Typically, we learn about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcom X, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson etc. But what about the other Black heros who made America what it is today?
I am currently a junior in high school taking AP U.S. History. During the month of February, only three Blacks were mentioned in my classroom: Madam C.J. Walker, George Washington Carver, and Garrett Morgan. Everyday for only 28 days, a "Black history fact" was said on the morning announcements. That's just the bare minimum we can do to increase people's knowledge on Blacks.
If you open a high school AP U.S. History textbook today, you will only see references to Martin Luther King, George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, Rosa Parks, and a only a few other great Black influences. That's it. Blacks have done much more than create peanut butter, hair products, and boycott the public bus system. There is more than enough history in the world about Blacks to create a year-long cirriculum. --Over the years, I have always heard the saying "People hate what they don't understand". I strongly believe that having Black History classes in high schools will trim down the racism in our nation because every other race will understand how Blacks have contributed to the success of America. Having Black History classes will surely increase the respect level that other races have for African-Americans.Every student of every race has to learn about U.S. History which in majority only covers the contributions of the white man and how they shaped America up to be great. The Black man did and has done a lot to make America great, too.
If you want to sign the petition go here.
