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by Collette M. Hopkins
What do I suggest that we do? How can we, as individuals and families, become involved in this aspect of lifelong learning during the month of February? Attend an event, performance or activity that celebrates African-American history and culture. Almost every educational and cultural institution in the city will have a calendar of events that will focus on African-American history and culture during the month of February (get your calendars ready because you will be overwhelmed with choices). Read at least one book that focuses on African-American history and culture. Check out the public libraries and local bookstores. Every February most libraries and bookstores display books by African-American authors. This might also be a great time to read a work by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, whose collection was recently acquired by Emory University. Visit an African-American historical site. We live in a city that has so much history and culture at our front doors – schools, churches, historic homes, libraries and restaurants! I have lived in Atlanta for over 20 years and I still pinch myself when I realize that I cross paths with greatness daily. Learn a fact-a-day about African-American history and culture (you have 29 chances in 2008). Begin with Atlanta and create a world of new information for yourself, your friends and colleagues. Create a family tradition that will become a part of your annual celebration of African-American history. In my family we celebrate with music. Each morning we play various genres of music as we prepare for our day. We each leave the house singing songs of our history and culture. Like most people I know, I enthusiastically celebrate my history and culture all year. Being born on February 1, however, elevates my celebration of African-American history and culture during February to the level of a mission. Langston Hughes, the poet laureate
I welcome any opportunity to affirm the positive contributions of my community to others. But I realized long ago that you cannot teach what you do not know, and you cannot assume that just because someone is a member of a particular community that they know about their own history and culture. Rosa Parks, who sat down for something,
I am not naive enough to believe that one day, one week, one month or one year is sufficient to learn about the history and culture of any group of people. But I must admit that I enjoy the intense and intentional treatment of African-American History and Culture during the month of February. Morehouse College was founded
I only wish that in 2008 the study of my history and culture were included across the curriculum and in mainstream educational communities and schools, and that it was not considered the study of the “other.” Indeed, parents and teachers must realize that African-American history and culture are integral to the history of the United States and should be taught as such just as African history and cultures are integral to the teaching of world history.
Negro History Week (now African-American
History Month) was first celebrated I also know that I live in a multicultural and multiethnic world. It is, therefore, my responsibility to learn about the histories and cultures of other peoples of this complex world. So while I am quite busy celebrating, studying and teaching about African-American history and culture, I am constantly learning about the histories and cultures of my friends, neighbors and colleagues. I also want to know the relationship between my community and yours. I want to be able to look at a blank map and fill in not just the names of the countries but to know accurate information about the people who live there. I was saddened when I learned that Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated in Pakistan, and I was not surprised when one of my friends from the region called for us to watch the news together. Hank Aaron was born on February 5, 1934. I was pleased when she called a few days later to discuss the Iowa Caucuses with me as well. I am glad that I live in metropolitan Atlanta. I have at my fingertips access to so many different communities – including my own. I can easily use local listings to identify free and low-cost activities, exhibits and performances, not just in February (when it really is all about me) but also throughout the year. So it is either through self-study or outside of mainstream educational institutions that we will become exposed not only to African-American history and culture but also to the histories and cultures of many of the people who have contributed to our society. |
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