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influenced by class, gender, race, sexual orientation, geography,
and religion. To not teach this history year round is to do a
disservice to our nation's rich, complicated past."
I concur with Mr. Jocz that we should not limit our celebrations
and remembrance to the month of February. Constraining the
history and story of any particular group to a day, week, or month,
essentially denies those who are being taught the reality of the world
that has preceded them. Karen Warrington, an Education Reporter
for the Philadelphia Inquirer, in her article
African American History
Must Be Taught
said, "America is so diverse that we should be
teaching the stories of all its people, whether it is Greco-Roman
history, including Greek mythology; Ireland's potato famine; the
exodus of Eastern Europeans to America; or the roles so many other
groups played here, including Italians, Germans, Asians and
Latinos. This should all be part of the public school curriculum - and
rightly so."
In short, the teaching of African American studies and other
cultures supports the diversity of our great country and its public
school system. As an experienced educator, having crossed many
phases of the education process -- teacher, principal, and now
Superintendent of Schools -- I have witnessed the benefits of being
exposed to the studies of all cultures who have contributed to the success that America has become. Too
often, the names of those who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and even rode with Rosa Parks are
not known. While we may never know their names, we must continue to fulfill the dream of those who
sacrificed life and limb for a better America. Our work should be all about our children, and that work will
shape us for a greater future.
Dr. Denean Adams, superintendent of
Harvey Public School District 152,
reads to children.