African American history is much more than Black history month. Nowadays, teachers are integrating it more and more into the core curriculum. When I was growing up in the 80s, needless to say, this was not the case. We would be going along, studying the revolution or something like that, and all of a sudden black history month would come upon us. We'd put away the textbooks, set our curriculum aside, and spend a week on African American history. Some years, we would have short black history projects where we would have to do some kind of report or presentation on a famous African American. That was it. The whole thing would last a week, maybe two.

In the school I am sending my son and daughter to, however, things are much different. If there is one thing you can say about our society, it is that it has really progressed as far as African American history goes. No longer is it relegated to a unit a year. Nowadays, people understand that the story of Black America is part of the story of America as a whole. Just like we can not understand American history without understanding the Native Americans, the Irish, the Chinese, and the European immigrant experience, we also can not understand it without understanding African American history. From the slave trade to the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, African Americans history is the history of us all.

Of course, having a good African-American history museum nearby really helps to augment the curriculum. I like the school history program in general, but it is sort of weak on subtleties. Generally, history is still taught in the traditional way – as the story of conquering armies, leaders, and governments. They have started using a few primary sources, but I don't think the teachers really know how to teach them. That is why, living in Detroit, it is so nice to have the African American history museum nearby to take my children to.

I know a lot of parents find silly, but I actually like to assign projects for my kids. Most days they have plenty of schoolwork, but occasionally it is nice to have them do a report at home. On the subject of African American history, I thought I'd give them some freedom. We went to the museum with one assignment: to look at all the exhibits and find something that interests them. As soon as they get a break, I will have each of them do a report, researching the subject of their choosing.

more coming soon!