Multicuturalism in School

Multiculturalism in the Curriculum

As America becomes more diverse ethnically, the idea of multiculturalism in curriculum becomes more of a concern. How is multiculturalism being taught to children today? In Adam Waxler’s article, Multiculturalism in School Curriculum, he describes how many teachers’ tactics of moving away from the traditional curriculum. “Teachers must include all the cultures that make up our history” (Waxler).  Waxler believes that this should be done, but not by separating history into different groups, for example Black History, women history, Spanish American History, etc.

I agree with Waxler. As an African American, I grew up in predominately white neighborhood. I can remember feeling segregated when learning of Black History and feeling singled out. All history is a part of America. So why is Black History singled out and not just included in American History in chronological order with all other events?

Currently whites make up approximately 80% of the nation’s population. This is anticipated to change over the next years. In only one year the Hispanic/ Latino American population grew by 2.9 million (Wikipedia). With the population changing in the United States, I think it becomes more important for students to learn about the diversity of America and the cultures that make up America.

I understand how it is probably easier for teachers to present information in sections. It also easier for younger students to learn in this way, however, when teaching information about American History in sections, what are we really saying? Are we segregating each groups like by teaching “Black History” in February? I believe American history should be taught in chronological order. After all, it is all a part of our history.

Waxler, Adam . (n.d.). ESL Teachers Board. In Multiculturalism in School Curriculum. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?page=2;read=1621.

(n.d.). Wikipedia. In Race and ethnicity in the United States. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from Waxler, Adam . (n.d.). ESL Teachers Board. In Multiculturalism in School Curriculum. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/articles/index.pl?page=2;read=1621.

Multiculturalism

I can remember learning about America's history as early as about 2nd grade. It wasn't until about middle begin to question how history was presented. Being an "African American" (in quotations because that's only the technical term) I could never understand why "black history" was taught separate than American History. Was the school suggestions that blacks were not a part of America? Was this another way of still segregating blacks from whites.

Most blacks would rejoice and celebrate the fact that black have their own month to celebrate their history, as the month of February in school was when we concentrated on black history. So out of eight months of the year that we attended school, we spent 7 months learning about every other part of history and approximately 20 days, taking out the weekends, learning about "black history."

I have always felt as though American history is American history. It shouldn't matter whether the people you are learning about were black, Chinese, Indian, or white. The fact is that America is made up of all different ethnic groups, so all are a part of America's history and should be taught as such.  To have a book that  included all of America's history would be great and I believe it would help students see the big picture.