Each year, we celebrate Black History Month by remembering iconic leaders of the past who have helped mold and contribute to the African-American experience. This year, maybe it’s time to put a new spin on a traditional celebration.
I read an article by the New York Times that suggested new ways to teach Black history through the voices of ordinary people. As Oprah would say, I had an Aha! moment. It was so amazing and I was motivated to take a different look on the way my history is told.
I decided I had to share. Read the tips below and let us know what other ways we can put a twist on Black History Month.
1. Find New Heroes
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X are well-known Black heroes that school-age children learn about each February, every year. However, our history is broader and it expands across multiple disciplines, including music, sciences and academia. The article suggests using oral history sites like StoryCorps Griot and the National Visionary Leadership Project to search for new interesting stories and heroes.
2. Interview the Heroes Among You
Invite people to tell the stories of their lives and archive it. You can make an audio recording or write a feature story, either way you are documenting more history. There are plenty of people living today that have untold stories in their hearts, including family members, neighbors and community leaders. The article suggests choosing an era or an issue highlighted in Black History Month collection of archival Times articles.
3. Listen to the Voices in the Crowd
This step requires you to do your own reporting. Instead of simply reading a textbook, listen to interviews and do outside research so you can develop your own point of view on historic stories. Your perspective may change based on your age, background or location. The article suggests using the Multiple Point of View graphic organizer to start your reasearh.
4. Redefine “Black History”
Add what you think is missing under the “Black History Month” umbrella. You can add history about African-Americans in sports, the arts, business and fashion. The article suggests finding new history stories that broaden our knowledge and view of the African-American experience.
5. Look for Echoes
They say history always repeats itself, and it’s true. There are many issues that our nation struggled with years ago that still affect us today. Draw parallels from the two-time periods and discuss what’s changed, what is the same and how we can move forward in the years to come.