Get Schooled

By MARY JONES

September 27, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this

I FEEL THAT ALL CULTURES & RACES SHOULD HAVE BACKGROUND OR THE HISTORY ABOUT THERE ROOTS. I AM A AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE & I WAS NOT TAUGHT ANYTHING CONCERNING MY RACE UNTIL I CAME TO THE STATE OF FLA. BY THE WAY I WAS BORN IN DAWSON GA. WHERE I WAS ALSO MADE TO PICK COTTON RATHER THAN TO GO TO SCHOOL. MY MOTHER REFUSED TO MAKE ME WORK ALL MY LIFE IN THE FIELDS, SO SHE MOVED TO FLA. THAT’S WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT AFRI-AMERICAN HAD FAMOUS PEOPLE AS WELL AS OTHER RACES. I KNOW THAT TEACHING BLACK CHILDREN THEIR CULTURE WILL BUILD UP THERE SELF- ESTEEM.

By Ernest

September 27, 2005 11:34 AM | Link to this

Patti, congrats to you and the AJC for being one of the finalists! Also thanks for providing a platform where a ‘variety’ of opinions can come to discuss education issues.

By MarkTeacherEDUGA

September 27, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this

This is an issue we discuss greatly in our department and with our students. If you look at the Georgia Performance Standards you see a real lack of color in them. When talking with state officials they say that they are there and that classroom teachers should mention them but they won’t be tested on them.

In my humble opinion I think we should spend a great deal of time looking at African American history and put it in its proper place and perspective. We also need to do more with Latino history as well.

I am looking forward to the day when we can have earnest discussions about the strengths and flaws of our country and its history.

By James McCoy

September 27, 2005 12:34 PM | Link to this

Those who have the power writes the history(his story)it’s obvious that the White Power elite in this country is not interested in enpowering African-Americans. The only way African-Americans and Native Americans and Latinos-Americans will ever learn of their true history is to research it themselves. This game that is played every February of supposely sharing with all of America the history of Black folks is the biggest trick played on people since slavery. Just like these so called black leaders that run around the country putting out racial fires,it’s nothing but a sham to keep you dumb and stupid. If I want to learn about my history I’m not going to wait for White folks to tell me because there’s a good chance it’s 50% or more false.

By Mary

September 27, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this

I am glad that Mrs. Mitchell spoke up and wanted to make some changes. My daughter is in the 7th grade in Gwinnett County and says that they do not learn enough about Black History. I always tell both my girls about their history when it is on television, in books and what I know about. No one will ever be able to make them even think a little bit that just maybe this whole slavery thing was no big deal. Even though out schools may try to ignore it or pass it off as no big deal we as parents must not. It starts at home. Thanks.

By Just Me

September 27, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

I agree that we should see more in the way of African American history. However, I don’t feel it should be taught as a separate entity. It should be integrated with all the time periods and cultures being studied. This way, it’s not a five minute highlight in a 180 day year.

However, it has been suggested that Georgia’s current curriculum (QCC & GPS) if given adequate time, would take 22 years to teach. Supposedly, the new GPS were going cut down on the amount of objectives and simply go more in depth. In reality, it’s adding unseen layers of prerequiste objectives.

Part of the reason Georgia’s schools are failing is that the school system is only given 13 years to teach the 22 years worth of objectives. There is no time to appropriately cover the current and upcoming objectives / standards.

While African American history is a worthy subject, we have to understand that we cannot continue to “add” things in without balancing the curriculum scale.

By James McCoy

September 27, 2005 01:13 PM | Link to this

Just Me,what you said in response to the teaching of African-American history too me is double talk.

By C.R.H.

September 27, 2005 01:22 PM | Link to this

Gee, I’m so glad I teach the much less controversial subject of Biology! Just me has simply stated facts…there isn’t enough time to include all the “issues” that people want included. We don’t have an “Asian-American” history month either…and the story behind the discrimination of the Chinese workers who built the railroads or the Japanes Americans who were put in camps during WWII are just as much a part of American history as African-American culture.

By t

September 27, 2005 01:22 PM | Link to this

Just Me-What you just said about teaching African American History is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. How can you leave out the history of the people who built this country,literally?

By James McCoy

September 27, 2005 01:28 PM | Link to this

Tipical response instead of dealing with the lack of history of any other culture then european you turn the tables pitting black and asian and latino against each other,that trick won’t work with me!

By Bonnie Jackson

September 27, 2005 01:35 PM | Link to this

I teach in a DeKalb County School and I can tell you from first hand experience that these “good” folks ( principals, parents, and other teachers) don’t want the student population being exposed to history dealing with African Americans. My principal would not even make available a “contribtution” to members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen that I invited to my school. My principal, after being invited by me to welcome these men to our school, never set foot in the library to utter a greeting. Some educators who are charged with opening up the world to our yougsters have not yet seen the light themselves! It is no wonder that Georgia is at the bottom of the education ladder.

By cornholio

September 27, 2005 01:36 PM | Link to this

Blacks built this country by picking cotton?

If they weren’t brought here to pick cotton, what was reason?

By Devil's Advocate

September 27, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this

As of 2004, African Americans comprised roughly 13.3 percent of the population of the United States. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, www.census.gov). Why should more than 13.3 percent of the American History curriculum be devoted to African American History? As others have mentioned, schools are required to cover too much material, thereby preventing students from exploring their subjects in depth. It is ridiculous to add even more material.

By veritas

September 27, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this

February is perfect for Black History Month. Its the shortest month of the year!

I’m tired of hearing about Dr. King and the guy that invented peanut butter. Keep Black history in Africa! Learn it on your own damn time !

By C.R.H.

September 27, 2005 01:47 PM | Link to this

James, your meds are wearing off again. No one is “pitting” anyone against anyone else. It is just really simple…Afican-American history should be taught in context of “AMERICAN” history. And before you put your foot in much further…I am 25% “African - American” (one granparent was born and raised in South Africa), I don’t check the little box because I am white. Can you tell your own children about their “family history”? If not, then you may want to clean your own house before complaining about the neighbor’s housekeeping!

By Tiff

September 27, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this

I think that ALL nationalities should have their part contained when studying American History. You cannot accurately know history if you leave out half of the popoulation of the country (minorities)!! There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that all backgrounds contributed, its not a competition. And to Veritas (“February is perfect for Black History Month”), you are a prime example of why we need to study other ethnic backgrounds. You didnt even know George Washington Carver’s name (yet you are tired of hearing about him. There are other African Americans to be studied, as well as Asian Americans, Native Americans, etc)

By JoanieV

September 27, 2005 02:12 PM | Link to this

Well, the statement made by veritas…really is an indication of why Black History should be included in the Curriculum…I like to think that knowledge erases ignorance, but for some maybe not.

My point is that Dr. King and George Washington Carver are not the only 2 black people to make substantial contributions to this country’s history. So even though I am African-American…Black History isn’t just for me…I am an American and U.S. history should include information about all Americans. So that respect can be given to African-Americans as contributors to our country. And so that our children realize that we are not non-contributors to THIS country that we live in.

By Leia

September 27, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this

Maybe people like veritas wouldn’t be so offended by learning about other cultures if it didn’t have the label, “Black History Month”. I believe that all cultures should be studied and incorporated in the existing American History courses. It can be done, but, of course it would take some time and effort. I know that one of the Social Studies teachers at my school would probably quit before he would do it, but, I think we’d be better off without him anyway!

By MeetBeeter

September 27, 2005 02:17 PM | Link to this

What is it with black history that is so interesting? We should be teaching how to make it yourself in this world without violence, illegal activities, scamming the government, or blaming everybody else for failures.

By ADL

September 27, 2005 02:21 PM | Link to this

Bravo Tiff. It ISN’T a competition. It is a collective effort.I agree that all nationalities should be included in the context of AMERICAN history.

If you believe that some aspects of history aren’t being covered correctly, encourage your children to research it themselves. So much has been politically corrected out of history books now that I don’t feel my kids are learning a lot of important people and events that shaped this great country. And it is so easy to get information online.

By veritas

September 27, 2005 02:21 PM | Link to this

The United States was founded by White men. The laws & structure of government we have are based on Western Civilization (England, Rome & Greek). The more you idiots Africanize our history and sanitize aspects of it that you do not like, the more the bar is being lowered. Either assimilate into this culture, or get the hell out ! Move to Mother Africa !

By James McCoy

September 27, 2005 02:26 PM | Link to this

C.R.H.:If you had your way Apartied would still be the norm in South Africa,I could care less of what you think of my opinion,I know what I see and hear each day that I leave the house. Some White folks wouldn’t know the truth if it was in your face.

By ADL

September 27, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this

And some people wouldn’t LISTEN to another opinion if it was in their face…

By Danny

September 27, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this

Oh my children know very well many Black contributors in our History. They are forced to write reports and do projects on the subject for an entire month of the year. But I ask you, why is there not a Latino month, an Asian month, a Middle Easterner Month, and a South American month? Because the NAACP and all the others only focus on the blacks. When my children learn history, they are not taught that all of these things were done by whites and all of these by blacks. They are only taught blacks did all of this, and here’s the history for the rest of the planet. Let’s get things a little more equal for EVERYONE.

By Tiff

September 27, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this

Boy Veritas, you sure are BITTER. Nobody is trying to AFRICANIZE history. We ALL know that WHITE men didnt create this nation as it is alone and all that is being asked is that you acknowledge that. And African Americans arent the only ones to “sanitize” aspects we dont like. You did that in your last comment because you “did not like” that minorities are asking to be recognized for their contributions as well. (Last time I checked Africa wasnt that far from “Western Civilization” or EUROPEAN civilization, which isnt American either). The culture you want us to assimilate into is a mixture of cultures whether you want to asknowledge that or not.

By James McCoy

September 27, 2005 02:31 PM | Link to this

White Folks in America are in complete denial about their own history,much less anyone else’s.

By Tiff

September 27, 2005 02:36 PM | Link to this

The bottom line is until ALL ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS are acknowledged for their contributions to American History, it will never be complete, only sketchy. There is no reason why other minorities cannot have months to celebrate their history. But we ALL know the gov’t/schools/etc arent going to just give it to minorities, have to beg, plead, whine, whatever you want to call it. The question for minorities is, is it worth your begging, pleading, whining to get your contributions recognized?

By veritas

September 27, 2005 02:40 PM | Link to this

Name a single NON-WHITE that signed the Declaration of Independence, or crafted the Constitution?

Don’t try to fool the masses with your twisted Afro-Mumbo Jumbo!

By C.R.H.

September 27, 2005 02:41 PM | Link to this

James, um…you are clueless! I had nothing to do with aparthied (that would be the correct spelling). Once again, can you name any of your own ancestors who came from Africa or were enslaved by “white people”? I do not deny any of my history, some is flattering and other parts…well, not so much, but I not playing the “victim” as well as you are either!

By James McCoy

September 27, 2005 02:44 PM | Link to this

Again C.R.H.,I’m so happy you can spell,but to dismiss your White ascentors history in South Africa as just Sh-t happens won’t fly with me.

By Tiff

September 27, 2005 02:47 PM | Link to this

Veritas, it takes a lot of work to be that bitter!! There is no need to point out all the WHITE aspects of American History. To use your words, “I am tired of hearing about” all those guys that signed the Declaration of Independence and George Washington!! Your comment again is exactly why minorities should be mentioned for their contributions. You make this sooo easy Veritas! Thanks from ALL Minorities for further justifying our point of this whole BLOG!! Why dont you name a single WHITE person that invented the refrigerator, air conditioning, lawn mower, cotton gin or even your cell phone?

By Tiff

September 27, 2005 02:48 PM | Link to this

Veritas, it takes a lot of work to be that bitter!! There is no need to point out all the WHITE aspects of American History. To use your words, “I am tired of hearing about” all those guys that signed the Declaration of Independence and George Washington!! Your comment again is exactly why minorities should be mentioned for their contributions. You make this sooo easy Veritas! Thanks from ALL Minorities for further justifying our point of this whole BLOG!! Why dont you name a single WHITE person that INVENTED the refrigerator, air conditioning, lawn mower, cotton gin or even your cell phone?

By ADL

September 27, 2005 02:50 PM | Link to this

James,

If CRH is responsible for apartheid and all the whites in South Africa, are you responsible for the violent black dictators and famine in the Congo and Zimbabwe?

By Cynthia

September 27, 2005 02:52 PM | Link to this

I agree w/ the Atlanta metro mother that there is a lack of African American history in social studies books here in Atlanta. I was surprised when I flipped through my friend’s daughter’s social studies book and there wasn’t even one chapter regarding African American history or even about Africa itself. Coming from Arizona I expected to see a little or if not more of African American history in school books.

By C.R.H.

September 27, 2005 02:53 PM | Link to this

Wow, I am amazed that James seems to have evidence that MY ancestors had something to do with apartheid. But once again that would be your ignorance showing…my grandmother’s parents were from England, my grandmother left South Africa to come to America in the 1930’s. So what other pieces of information do you have James? My mother’s family was from Mississippi….go for it James, maybe they owned slaves and are responsible for the repression you seem to be feeling today? NOT…they were dirt poor farmers and didn’t own the land they farmed, not that far removed from being slaves themselves actually.

By Dan

September 27, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this

Acknowledging all pertinent accomplishments and milestones is certainly a worthy cause, but we have gone flying past reality and are now creating history, ie crediting Thomas Edisons, black draftsman with the lightbulb. and Tiff while i agree we should capture the contributions of AA omiting them would only omit about 10% of the people not half.

By Nikole

September 27, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this

The only way that people like veritas can be enlightened is to include the history of all cultures in this country. The only people that have the luxury of calling themselves “real Americans” are Native Americans. The rest of us all came from elsewhere. Respect that and teach the contributions we have all made as other-Americans. Sadly, I find that those that are most resistant to this are white Americans. They have no reason to want to be enlightened as they already have the upper hand in life. Why acquiecse to others? when the dominant culture changes their mentality, then we will see multiculturalism in schools.

By bogey

September 27, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this

Other than the slave trade, why should Africa be included in American history?

If you want to learn about your genealogy, go to the library or log onto to Ancestry.com

Isn’t this forum about American History?

We need to learn the good and BAD about this nation’s history, so we can learn from it, and not repeat the mistakes of the past. My kids recently studied the Lewis & Clark Expedition. All they got out of it was Sacajawea, the female Indian guide. What was learned? Nothing!

By Why_Hurt

September 27, 2005 03:01 PM | Link to this

Veritas you are truly an IDIOT! The DeDeclaration of Independence says”…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” The last time I checked “Creator” meant “God” and He did not just create WHITE men. So the WHITE signees of that document did not understand what they were signing their names to either, if they believe other races are not equal. I hope you have not pro-created or plan to in the future!

By SWC

September 27, 2005 03:08 PM | Link to this

“American History” should be incorporated within that framework students learn about slavery, the Civil War, Civil Rights Movement, et cetera. But, if you want to learn about “The Black Panthers” for instance, you need to learn the whole truth about them - not just about their so-called “good intentions”. Its kind of like being taught how wonderful Castro is because you get free health care.

The purpose of teaching history is not to increase self-esteem. Anyone is free to read books on their own if they feel that they are not getting enough information about their own culture. The more we separate ourselves by ethnic group, the more harm we do to ourselves as a nation. If you have the wherewithall to sign on to this blog, you should be able to provide your children with any supplemental education that you deem relevant.

And, do we really want to learn about African History? Its pretty dismal, filled with characters like Robert Mugabwe and Idi Amin, Rwanda massacres, modern-day slavery and massacres in The Sudan and so forth. Oh, and there’s that little detail about the black men who sold their own people into slavery. If you want to learn history, you have to be willing to learn the truth - you can’t just hear about how horrible the white man was and is, and other usually anti-American propaganda.

By Veritas

September 27, 2005 03:17 PM | Link to this

Why Hurt:

Your inorance is truly bliss!

When Whitey crafted the Declaration of Independence, women could not vote, Indians were not part of the framework, & Black slaves by law were considered nothing more than property, 3/5 human. Only after 600,000 white Americans died in the Civil War did Blacks obtain their “freedom”.

You are obviously a product of the government schools. Whitey may have brought your ancestors here, but it was Whitey that freed you & gave you the freedom to run your mouth & show your stupidity.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

September 27, 2005 03:33 PM | Link to this

I was asked in a post last week, if I thought race relations in this country would ever move forward.

My answer again is “not anytime soon”, because we can’t have a truthful discussion about race or history.

Ms. Mitchell did not ask for an additional class for African American history, she asked that more correct and inclusive history be included in the current curriculumn.

No one has ever slighted latino or asian history. It should be discussed in full length as well. However, there has always been a slant toward “this is how white america” saw blacks and indians in this country and it needs to be discussed and shown in true light. Ms. Mitchell pointed out a very true slant toward “Slaves being brought” to this country, as if they were paid to pick cotton and came over on a cruise ship.

The length of history is just a bad excuse for people, who don’t think black history is as important. I know if would be very easy to add one line of african american history to every paragraph of “American” history, since they are both intertwinned into one. You can’t have American history without African American history, because it all happened at the same time. So, when you talk about George Washington you can talk about the work of his slaves. When you talk about Abe Lincoln and the Civil War you can discuss the participation of the slaves. When you talk about Reconstruction, you can talk about the slaves. When you talk about the Great Depression, you can add a few lines about the African American communities during this period. When you talk about World War I and II you can talk about how blacks could not vote, live or work where they chose, but could fight for our country.

Wow and this could hurt your child and benefit only mine.

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this

Nikole, Being born in a country defines you as being a “native” of that country. Therefore all persons born in the US are actually “native Americans” not just the Indians. If you were born here you must be a native American, not a so called African-American.

By amazed

September 27, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this

veritas you are truly one stupid and ignorant individual…maybe you should do some research on your history to find out why you are as dumb as you are.

By swc

September 27, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this

Nikole - Do you know ANYTHING about history? Have your heard about people like Alexander The Great, The Roman Empire, or The Ottoman Empire? Omnia Gallia in tres partes divisa est? Does any of this ring a bell?

Nations and peoples have been conquered by others since time immemorial. If we are to use your criteria, then there is no history after the original settlers arrived.

Multiculturalism is a political tool invented by Marxists to weaken the cohesive nature of nations, with the purpose of creating disunity and factionalism. It aims to destroy the HISTORICAL traditions and cultures of a country and replace them with so much “diversity” that the original country becomes unrecognizable. It is a silent revolution. It does not promote “unity” but promotes differences; it does not promote “peace” but promotes resentment and hatred; it promotes class warfare and dependence on the state; it aims to make people miserable and eternally unsatisfied. The only place that it deserves in history is in the ash heap.

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 03:42 PM | Link to this

To those of you down on Veritas, does he have a right to his opinion as all of us should? If we are to consider your views, why not his? There are multitudes of people who share his opinions. Does that make them all wrong? Opinions are derived from things we experience in our lives, not just from things we are told and expected to believe.

By Veritas

September 27, 2005 03:52 PM | Link to this

Diversity & Multi-culturism are just buzzwords to denigrate or remove from the history books the contributions made by those of Western European descent, in order to promote the self-esteem of those who have yet to assimilate into this culture.

You b*** and moan over the government, slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, etc, but you want the same government to teach your children? I liken history of a people to religion. It starts at home. Visit the library. Educate yourself. Learn about your roots and genealogy. It is not government’s role to teach our children about every ethnic group in this country.

By Dick

September 27, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this

How about KKK History, or Sons of Conferate History, Southern Baptist History. If you are going to teach one, be prepared to teach all. You cannot have your cake and eat it too so to speak

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

September 27, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this

Rastus, we have been listening to opinions such as Veritas my entire generation. Opinions expressed by Veritas are well documented through out history. So, that is probably what Veritas has been told and expected to believe - not an experience.

Your statement of “Not a So Called African-American”, provides a valid opinion for me, of you.

Which leads me to state that both of you are truly ignorant. Why else would you try to justify Veritas prior statements.

By ADL

September 27, 2005 04:06 PM | Link to this

Amazed,

He isn’t justifying Veritas’ prior statement. He is just saying he has a right to express his opinion.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

September 27, 2005 04:06 PM | Link to this

Dick,

It would be a truly complete history and believe me African Americans would not want to leave out the KKK, Sons of Conferate History, Southern Baptist History - because we know better than those groups “know”, how big of a part of this countries culture those groups played.

I’m sure your kids know the history your ancestors played in the groups named above. I’m sure you are proud of your heritage, so let the history textbook include my history.

I don’t believe in leaving anything out.

By Mallorie

September 27, 2005 04:11 PM | Link to this

I have been out of High School for 10+ years but I think I remember Grady High having an African American History class. I remember because I was the only “white” kid in it. I found it interesting even though I am not an African American. I think we SHOULD teach history about every culture because this is the United States! Its a melting pot of lanuages, cultures, religions. Our country was built on religous and cultural freedom (although not fast enough for blacks, women, etc). But now it is a place to be free and be who we are. I want to know about people who dont look like me as much as I want to learn about people who look like me, if not more.

By ADL

September 27, 2005 04:12 PM | Link to this

And then there is Malcolm XXX…

By Gregory McFadden

September 27, 2005 04:16 PM | Link to this

Ms Cox needs a history lesson on Africa, and then she’ll understand the horrors associated with being brought here to help pick cotton, and the establishment of a humane civlized culture on the continent of Africa, where slaves were uprooted from.

By luvs2teach

September 27, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this

Hello, all - such heated discussion as always when race is the issue…

I’m “white” - Euro-American, if you prefer (100% Irish - both sets of grandparents came here in the early 1900s) and I was educated, elementary through high school in Massachusetts in the 70s in a predominantly white, working class town. I remember learning about the Civil War and Harriet Tubman (her bravery amazed then as a 9 year old, and amazes me still today), Frederick Douglas (we read some of his essays in high school English), George Washington Carver (science class - prior to a unit where we made our own inventions), and Crispus Attucks (the first casualty of the American Revolution - living just outside of Boston, this was a big deal). I read Langston Hughes and Ralph Ellison.

There were others of course, but I already tend to blog too long…

My point is that these were seamlessly in place in the curriculum - it was never relegated to February, nor was it pointed out, “Ooh, children, now we are going to learn about some famous black people” (this was the seventies - we weren’t saying African-American yet). It was just part of whatever we were doing; I don’t see why we can’t do that here in Georgia.

As a science teacher, I try to incorporate famous scientists/inventors/explorers of all genders and nationalities - my students could tell you one of my heros is Mae Jemison - a doctor AND an astronaut. This is something I do all year long - it’s more important to me that the person I’m discussing ties in with the unit than what race, gender, or nationality they are.

I also had the pleasure of going to college in California where I took a US history class taught by a professor of Hispanic descent. I learned so much from that class including an appreciation of the role of all peoples (Euro, African, Hispanic, Native) in the development of the West. Sometimes the role of the different groups was positive, other times not so much - but that’s history!

As far as some of the other comments go:

We DO have a Hispanic heritage month - it’s NOW! September 15th through October 15th.

The curriculum DOES try to cover too much. That’s not an excuse, that’s a fact - don’t forget, we have 20 - 50 more years of history since most of us were in school (and we only ever got to World War II). History isn’t the only subject; science also has that problem.

And, according to the latest research, we ALL (Natives included) came from somewhere else - that would happen to be AFRICA. Yes, folks, we’re ALL African. The only reason our skin color is different is because the northern climate inhabitants need lighter skin to allow more sunlight to make vitamin D (less sun at those northern latitudes) and those closer to the equator needed more protection from the stronger rays. That’s it. Everything else is cultural, not racial.

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 04:22 PM | Link to this

To Amazed: The “Indepedent Woman” as you like to called, tells me and most of the enlightened world about your state of disillusionment. As much as you and a few others would like to believe, there is no such thing as a truly independent woman. Such thinking is result of the liberal thought process that many uneducated suffer from.

By Mallorie

September 27, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

Veritas, take off your white hood, clean out your ears and listen to me: You are a hateful racist!

By Reuben

September 27, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this

To Mallorie: Whats wrong with being a racist if you truly believe your thinking to be correct?

By em

September 27, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this

I teach U.S. History and have grown weary of the designated times of the year set aside to “honor” one specific ethnic group. America is a nation of immigrants and instead of worrying of political correctness, just teach U.S. History: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

By Dick

September 27, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this

Malcom XXX-See, this is what has many people upset. You ONLY want your ancestors and their history taught, we can’t ahve out taught. I think people like Veritas gets upset when 1-no you cannot have a white Ms America pagent, so what if they have a black Ms America Pagent. 2-No you cannot have an individual national holiday for George Washington, Abe Lincoln, it must be know as Presidents Day, so what if they have a national holiday for MLK Jr. 3-No you cannot have a month set aside during the school year to be known as white history month, so what if they hae a black history month. 4-No you cannot have an entry in the Christmas parade for Sons of conferates (happen in Albany, Ga several years ago, so what if the NAACP has two floats, that is life, get over it. Get my point XXX *by the way Malcolm X was nothing more than a user, he used his own people to better himself financially just as Jesse jackson is doing. I wouldn’t sign my name as Malcolm XXX.

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this

Mallorie: Can you define “racist”?

By Dick

September 27, 2005 04:42 PM | Link to this

I will take a stab at defining racist. Racist to me and many in my part of the country is when a person who is too sorry to work, lives off of the government, demanding their wants to be fulfilled steps on and abuses the rights of the working class of people taking what ever they (non working) can take from the working people to satisfy their appetites. Please note, no colors were used to define racism.

By thelovely1

September 27, 2005 04:45 PM | Link to this

EXCUSE ME veritas but the United States was stolen from the American Indian!!! The white man clamed it as his own.. this land does not belong to you! You then claimed the black man and stole him from his country, brought him here as a slave because you were to lazy to get off your butts and do anything but lie, steal and cause utter mayhem where ever you go!!!

By Mallorie

September 27, 2005 04:45 PM | Link to this

By Reuben

September 27, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this

To Mallorie: Whats wrong with being a racist if you truly believe your thinking to be correct?

AND WHAT’S WRONG WITH BEING A TERRORIST AND FLYING PLANES INTO BUILDINGS IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE YOUR THINKING IS CORRECT? Give me a break. Its hateful, ignorant, nasty, and wrong! Its just wrong. I see no justifying racism. NONE! I can not even fathom being treated less based soley on the color of my skin. I will NOT stand for it when I see it happening! We are all people. All of us have red blood, blue veins, brain tissue, beating hearts, etc. When I have children I will teach them to respect and love all cultures. It will be a cold day in hell when my white children utter a racist joke, comment, etc. Hate stops here. It should stop at you too. Its 2005.

By C.R.H.

September 27, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

Dick, you just described most republicans! LOL

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Dick, but thats not the definition. It has everything to do with race.

By Dick

September 27, 2005 04:48 PM | Link to this

Malorie, excuse me but I think blacks in Africa sold the blacks to the slave traders, isn’t that right?

To CRH-not necessarily republicans, just a person who works 12 hours per day and is sick and tired of the dead beats of our society taking 40% of my earnings.

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this

To CRH: Thats one of the reasons I’m a registered, blue blooded, GOP Republican. Thanks for reminding me!

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 04:52 PM | Link to this

To Mallorie: Who defines “right or wrong”. I take it by your tone that you truly believe you have that right and others do not.

By Mallorie

September 27, 2005 04:53 PM | Link to this

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (it doesnt say only if he is white, straight, blue, green, vlack, etc)

By Dick

September 27, 2005 04:53 PM | Link to this

ATTENTION- I would like to invite everyone to go to a web site and read the actual writings from a doctor who volunteered his time to assist katrina refuges. Web site is www.totalnonsense.org. Go down and you will see his article. After you read this, you can then tell me, a registered member of the democratic party, one who works 50 to 60 hours a week how I feel.

By C.R.H.

September 27, 2005 04:54 PM | Link to this

Dick, I agree the wealth distribution issue is a very touchy issue.

I am somewhat surprised at some of the responses on this blog…guess that is to be expected from the children who have these 2 days off, at least they aren’t running around wreaking havoc on the neighborhood!

I have no problem with “African-American” history being taught WITHIN the context of American history. But who decides HOW and WHAT information should be included is a major problem. There have been contributions from every group in America, not all of them can be discussed and taught in the 180 days of a school year.

By Rastus

September 27, 2005 05:01 PM | Link to this

Mallorie: I assume you know where this quote came from. What about the vast majority of people who do not subscribe to this particular teaching? Should they automatically change their mind because you told them to?