Black History Matters is not just a slogan. Being an educator, I was in shock to see how the educational system is biased and play a fundamental role in promoting the white supremacist movement. I took a look at the SOL Standard for U.S. VA History, and World History Standard before I make this stand.
The educational system is not doing enough to promote black cultural identity. If we look at the VA US History curriculum, blacks are always associated with slavery or the civil right movement. There is little reference of blacks as pioneers or as world leaders in any aspect. We are always presented as irrelevant. It is even more shocking to see that our children have to learn world history when the bulk of their study is based on acknowledging the contribution, lifestyle, and religions of Europeans, Asians, and Middle Eastern men and women. They briefly mentioned a few African empires, but no emphasis on their contributions, lifestyle, or religions. They barely mention the work of those great African rulers and their contribution to our world.
I went further in my research, and I went to emediava.org that offers educational content for students in VA, and I could not find any videos that is SOL related on African history, religion, or cultural contribution. It's like a systematic effort to disregard the essence of who we are as people.
It is not surprising that the Charlottesville massacre happened because the educational system is biased and they encourage the prevalence of white supremacy.
If it is important for white children to know about Alexander the great, It is important for black children to know about Chaka zulu, Toussaint Louverture, Jean jacques Dessalines, Nat Turner, Lucius Septimus, Haile Selassie, Nefertiti, Askia the Great, Mansa Musa I, and so many other Africans who contributed in the shaping of our world. Their contributions are equally important as the whites.
This petition is a call to all black people to boycott these classes until a true reform is done to underline the contribution of Africa as a continent and talk about great African leaders that shape our world.
I should not subject my child to take a class that diminishes her self-worth, and that continues to make her feel irrelevant compared to another class of men or women.
If you are like me. Let us say no to the State of Virginia. Our children should not be forced to take these SOL classes unless serious changes are made to address this type of racism.
