Why study African American history?

By Beth Cuvelier

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  Psalm 133:1

For the past year news outlets have continuously reported on issues involving race, i.e., the 1619 project, Critical Race theory, voting rights, reparations, Black Lives Matter, etc. Even more recently, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations was invited to review claims of systemic racism in America, and a Gallup Poll indicated that the positive rating of race relations is at its lowest point in more than 20 years — for the second consecutive year. Many of these reports deal with political issues and agendas, but it does seem that our country is irreparably divided on issues of race. I have also had many conversations with teenagers and young adults, both public and homeschooled, and it has been surprising for me to learn that some hold hostility towards educators and parents for not previously teaching them black history. That is why it is a timely and relevant question to ask: Why and what does my child need to learn about African American history?

The African American History course offered through CHESS was created to increase objective factual knowledge of our entire American past, without bias or political interpretation, through a Biblical worldview. This class is being offered virtually because it is subject matter that I encourage families to study together, so it provides an excellent opportunity for parents to join the discussion about our nation’s past with their children. Many people have never learned about the stories of African Americans in the founding of this country and beyond. Our story is not complete without studying black history, and our relationships cannot be genuine without an understanding of their struggle and their continuing determination for equality. The history of black people in this country is the human story. As we examine this part of history, we get a glimpse of the human condition, both good and bad, and we have a chance to redeem our futures and the futures of our children. This class helps open doors of communication for our students and helps build stronger, more trustworthy race relationships. This is something I wish I had been offered when I was their age.

I am a white woman who was born in 1966 in northern Mississippi. I grew up in the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement. The racial division and turmoil were present everywhere, yet I was never taught about it until I was an adult and became determined to educate myself. Yes, I had heard the basic names and events of black history, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. But I missed out on stories like those of James Armistead Lafayette, Madame C.J. Walker, Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce, Ida B. Wells, Buffalo Soldiers, etc. As a child I was not taught through words that there was a difference between races, or the idea that white was the more superior or accepted race. Instead, I learned through the societal separations that were lived out in front of me. Like many, I went to integrated schools that only taught the history of people with white skin because African American history was not included as a main course of study. All through my formative years, and even into college and law school, I missed out on the rich history of all people of color. It was only after being lovingly confronted as an adult about this ignorance that I realized the need to educate myself and others.

In some ways, this subject is very personal to me. I teach because I still want to continually learn that part of our American struggle and how it continues to impact us all today. I teach because it is personal to my past and the memories from my childhood. As a child, I could not comprehend all that was occurring in the 1960s around me, but as an adult, I have lived from coast to coast in this country and have seen the same sinful silent separation even decades later. Racism is not temporal or territorial, but it resides in the heart and mind of mankind.

As homeschool parents, we often strive to make sure all the academic boxes are checked for our students to receive their high school diplomas. However, it is also our responsibility to educate our children in ways that others will not. The complete history of America includes the names and stories of African Americans who have contributed to our story of freedom through their lives and deaths. The heroes of our past should be known regardless of their skin color.

The answer to why study African American history is found in Scripture: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being priest to Me. Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.” Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)

Knowledge is one of the means to bridge the racial divide. We are called to reconciliation as followers of Christ. We know changes in people take place through the education of hearts. Real change comes about when integration is not just a lofty ideal or dictated law, but a genuine desire of society. I pray we all seek to educate ourselves and others about all cultures, and that we teach our children that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity who should be treated as bearers of the image of our Creator. We must seek to heal a very divided and broken land. Years of racism have created bitterness and distrust among all colors of people. We cannot be unified in truth if we do not have knowledge of it. We must seek to live together in love and peace. Without true heart conversations and reconciliation, we will all perish together at some point. We, as homeschoolers, have the opportunity for such a time as this to pursue racial reconciliation through the complete education of our children to the glory of God.  

Actively we have woven ourselves [into] this nation- we have fought their battles, shared their sorrow, mingled our blood with theirs, and generation after generation have pleaded with a headstrong, careless people to despise not Justice, Mercy, and Truth, lest the nation be smitten with a curse. Our song, our toil, our cheer and warning have been given to this nation in blood brotherhood. Are not these gifts worth the giving? Is not this work and striving?  Would America have been America without her Negro People?

W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk, 1903