ICYMI: Rep. Susie Lee Hosts Facebook Live with Local Nevada Teachers to Discuss Black History Month
ICYMI: Rep. Susie Lee Hosts Facebook Live with Local Nevada Teachers to Discuss Black History Month
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LAS VEGAS – Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) hosted a Facebook Live to discuss Black History Month with local Nevada educators. They discussed the significance of Black History Month, and the educators provided advice and guidance for parents to discuss Black History Month with their children.
Rep. Lee highlighted why discussions about Black history and racial injustice are critical, now more than ever:
"Last year, following the killing of George Floyd and the countless incidents of Black people being senselessly murdered, our country faced a reckoning when it comes to racial justice. The unequal and unjust treatment of Black Americans is nothing new, and on the contrary, it's unfortunately a central theme in the darker chapters of our nation's history. Children are coming to parents, coming to teachers, with complicated questions about this history. In many cases, parents don't have the answers. So how do we address these issues without sugarcoating how important the work is that we must do to come to a reckoning in this country? So today, I'm joined by some incredible teachers and will be discussing tips you can use when talking to your children about Black history."
Malcolm Gillard, a CCSD teacher at Dean Allen Elementary School, stressed the importance of teaching Black history in schools:
"At the age of eight myself, I remember picking up a book from our living room. Dr. King was on the cover. As I turned the pages, there were people who looked like me were being beaten by police, they were hosed, ravaged by dogs. It was pretty traumatic, but it was my reality, and it was my right of passage to America. As I think back, if one teacher, any teacher, would have used their skills to prepare me about why those things happened, I think their compassion and empathy would've lessened the shock I had. So I know that learning about Black History is important. All kids need to know about Black history."
Sheila Weathers, a CCSD teacher at Tanaka Elementary School, emphasized that Black history is American history, and that teachers and schools need to broaden Black history curriculums beyond only slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, for example:
"For too long, we have concentrated so much on only Civil Rights and slavery. I think about the students in my class who look like me and their value and how they feel about themselves. It took me back, when I was a little kid. Year after year, learning slavery, civil rights, slavery, civil rights. African Americans, year after year, contribute so much to this country and our history is so embedded that I believe many of us on the panel would argue that we have built this country on our backs. And our voices need to be heard in these stories."