The other day I simply asked the question, “Is he Black or White”, after being given a short summary of a man. An instant later I had caught myself and said “Or Asian or something else?” The quick self-correction made me aware that I seemed to have thought subconsciously believed that only two races existed. Consciously I know there are many races yet I was troubled by my questioning. Thinking back to my education we were taught in Black and White. When reviewing History lesson plans it is clear that most American children are taught about Black history and White history. Both races are almost always put against each other, and it is rare to be taught that they are not. There is no doubt that the enslavement of African-Americans has been the foundation of such teachings. This has raised the awareness of the deletion of other races in American history.
After students learn about the Native Americans that were literally pushed towards the West names such as Sacagawea, (a Native American woman who helped with the Lewis and Clark expedition), Pocahontas (a Native American woman who helped colonists during their settling years in Virginia) and Tecumseh (a Native American man during the War of 1812) are often mentioned. Textbooks seem to “kill off” the idea other races do not have a rich history, traditions and heritage worth acknowledging To date all of my textbooks strictly address what occurred between the only Black and White population of the Eastern side of the country. Regardless of what we are taught we must constantly remind ourselves of what Diversity truly is. This then creates a resistance to be appreciative of other ethnicities. It is quite surprising that history textbooks can influence a way of thinking. Instead of perceiving only two why not think of four or five options?
The idea of the world’s population being only African-American or European is a false reality. Why is it that Asian’s make up the highest percentage of the world’s population but there are barely Asians mentioned in American history? Then again people that occupied states towards the west of Ohio are barely talked about in history classes. Not being properly taught about different backgrounds is not realistic for children of various ethnic groups. There is no equality in an educational system that favors the teachings of African-American slaves and White successors. Teaching yourself and others of different cultural history’s is the long-term goal of being mindful of the inequalities in the school system of America. Regardless of what we are taught we must constantly remind ourselves of what diversity truly is; differences among individuals.
