Are Schools Whitewashing Juneteenth And Our Curriculum?

Are Schools Whitewashing Juneteenth And Our Curriculum?

June 19, 1866, is one of the most consequential moments in Black history. All races and ages need to understand the struggles people of color (POC) have overcome for decades. But, as time has passed, it has become clear that many children and adults have little knowledge of Juneteenth and what it truly means. This can be explained that it could be because of the lack of Black history in schools. This is not the only time Americans have whitewashed or ignored POC history and unfortunately most likely will not be the last.

Juneteenth is when federal troops approached Galveston, Texas in 1866 to guarantee that all African Americans were freed. This moment happened two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation when slaves were declared freed. Juneteenth celebrates the remembrance of the last slaves freed in the United States. It shouldn't be surprising that American school systems simply wrote over this subject when they also whitewashed things like the first Black woman who refused to give up her bus seat and taught students that Christopher Columbus was the original settler of America. Curriculums seem to undermine the serious and more difficult sides of history. Actually, only 8-9% of the history curriculum is about Black history in most schools. (https://www.socialstudies.org) A survey taken by https://www.edweek.org/ says only 1 in 5 think textbooks accurately reflect people of color.

As a student, I've experienced the curriculum and the underwhelming knowledge taught about Black history. When talking to high school students I asked whether they knew what Juneteenth was and if they knew the importance. Not only did they not know anything, but they began to guess that it had something to do with the day America was discovered. This proves that our curriculum is designed to teach students about the white prospective and white prospective only. There are options for our schools that can open up new conversations and experiences. Something that impacted my school was the creation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) group. Ina small school in Lancaster PA, two teachers recently developed a club called HAVEN. This group focuses on things like racism, changes in our curriculum, homophobia, and more. Changes are needed in schools for children to have an inclusive, well-rounded, and diverse education and for students to be capable of interacting with their local and global communities in healthy ways, now and in their future.

It seems as though most of the administration in the Pennsylvania school system hasn't changed or developed the curriculum in any significant way to address DEI. Currently in Texas, a motion has passed that prohibits teachers from talking about issues surrounding white supremacy within the classroom. This motion was justified by the Texas senate with the intent that students shouldn’t be taught that one race was believed to be better than another. In doing this, not only are education systems withholding serious concerns of American history, it is also ignoring the underpinning issue of systemic racism. The truth is, white supremacy is real and white people were seen as better than all other races and ethnicities. As a student, I once didn't know what Juneteenth meant to a full extent. Once I discovered the significance of this celebration I wanted to know more. I am proof that students will be engaged in Juneteenth and thirst for more knowledge of Black history.

Juneteenth is one of the oldest Black history holidays which can be celebrated in many ways. One way could be going to a Black history museum. Some great museums in Pennsylvania are The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Central Pennsylvania African-American Museum, and Black Writers Museum. Another way to support Juneteenth is to support Black-owned businesses. Oat Cinnamon The Fraise Bouquet created by Ryan Norville (https://www.oatcinnamon.com/shop-oat-cinnamon), Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Conditioner by Cornell McBride Jr (https://designessentials.com/almond-avocado-moisturizing-detangling-conditioner-12oz/), and EleVen by Venus Williams (https://elevenbyvenuswilliams.com/) are all fantastic businesses to support. Lastly, reading books by Black authors can give perspective and support authors. Some fantastic books by Black authors are The Sellout by Paul Beatty, A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, and The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Celebrating Juneteenth is not only about going to parties or posting on social media to spread the word, but about supporting those who were affected by slavery and remembering the loss and despair of that time.

The only way change will transpire within the curriculum is to make it happen with action. As students and citizens of a community, a great way to see action and improve our curriculum is to email your local school board and explain the situation and petition for change. It may not seem like it, but students have the power to make big things happen. As a white person I am unable to understand the issues POC have endured because of the privilege I've been appointed. To understand my privilege, I have to understand the disadvantages others have experienced. Changes need to be made to our curriculum so that new generations understand our destructive past and work towards a just, inclusive, and equitable future.