There is great strength in diversity. It is the synergy of thoughts, opinions and the acceptance of all people in the world as holding a level of significance. But diversity is definitely a work in progress. An aid to keeping it moving forward is through the strength of Black History Month Books.
Race has been a very sensitive subject. As the world moves towards a becoming a global community of one, lies about race must be challenged. Misunderstandings about race must be corrected. And it needs to be done not as a way of pointing fingers or placing blame, but as a way of sharing the facts necessary for us to grow in diversity. Diversity will continue whether one likes it or not. The sting of this change will lessen with a willful tolerance and acceptance of all people.
There is a myth about these books and their purpose. There are those who believe they are an arrogant approach to lift one race above another. It should be American History or World History instead. In 1926 Dr. Carter Woodson started what would become known as Black History Month. And the reasons had nothing to do with arrogance or lifting blacks above whites. It was actually about pulling blacks up from under whites and seeking level ground.
The 1920s was a decade in America that was steeped in segregation or Jim Crow laws, and the systematic suppression of people of color. There was unequal justice, unequal education opportunities, unequal job opportunities, and the list goes on. What Woodson founded gave a moment of esteem for people of color, and a moment of education for all races.
The books for children can be found in many locations, focusing on individuals like Garrett Morgan, Colin Powell, Jesse Owens, and Frederick Douglas. Whether reading at the school library or pulling it from the bookshelf at home, these books can inspire diversity at an early age.
The motivations of any child can be stoked when the life of Harriet Tubman is read. The woman born a slave who was so moved to help others escape the same horrors is a success story that resonates regardless of color. When a child aspires to have this type of determination the path of humankind becomes more stable and sure.
Books for the more serious readers would include situational and thematic subjects. They can chronicle the contributions of people of color long before there was an America. The firm foundation that slaves working in cotton fields helped place America on can be followed fact by fact. These truths can serve to refocus both blacks and whites in a positive way.
Everyone can leave these readings knowing that we are really all the same. What creates differences are the conditions and environments where one lives, not the skin color. With diversity enhanced though tools such as Black History Month Books these difference creators can be harnessed and pushed to always provide a positive outcome.
Race has been a very sensitive subject. As the world moves towards a becoming a global community of one, lies about race must be challenged. Misunderstandings about race must be corrected. And it needs to be done not as a way of pointing fingers or placing blame, but as a way of sharing the facts necessary for us to grow in diversity. Diversity will continue whether one likes it or not. The sting of this change will lessen with a willful tolerance and acceptance of all people.
There is a myth about these books and their purpose. There are those who believe they are an arrogant approach to lift one race above another. It should be American History or World History instead. In 1926 Dr. Carter Woodson started what would become known as Black History Month. And the reasons had nothing to do with arrogance or lifting blacks above whites. It was actually about pulling blacks up from under whites and seeking level ground.
The 1920s was a decade in America that was steeped in segregation or Jim Crow laws, and the systematic suppression of people of color. There was unequal justice, unequal education opportunities, unequal job opportunities, and the list goes on. What Woodson founded gave a moment of esteem for people of color, and a moment of education for all races.
The books for children can be found in many locations, focusing on individuals like Garrett Morgan, Colin Powell, Jesse Owens, and Frederick Douglas. Whether reading at the school library or pulling it from the bookshelf at home, these books can inspire diversity at an early age.
The motivations of any child can be stoked when the life of Harriet Tubman is read. The woman born a slave who was so moved to help others escape the same horrors is a success story that resonates regardless of color. When a child aspires to have this type of determination the path of humankind becomes more stable and sure.
Books for the more serious readers would include situational and thematic subjects. They can chronicle the contributions of people of color long before there was an America. The firm foundation that slaves working in cotton fields helped place America on can be followed fact by fact. These truths can serve to refocus both blacks and whites in a positive way.
Everyone can leave these readings knowing that we are really all the same. What creates differences are the conditions and environments where one lives, not the skin color. With diversity enhanced though tools such as Black History Month Books these difference creators can be harnessed and pushed to always provide a positive outcome.
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