If scientists have determined that the oldest human remains came from Africa, why isn't this....?

Question

In the news? Taught in school, especially history classes? Africa is called the cradle of civilization for a reason and it has nothing to do with race, gender or anything, but facts are facts. Choosing to ignore them is one thing, but they will still be facts.

And no, I didn't just pull this fact out of the air, scientists have been saying this for years. There was a news article about it last year, read it for yourself:
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/bones-called-oldest-ever-human-remains/20050216193609990018

@fireball-so the truth is not necessary in your opinion. Is this because it has to do with Africa? Interesting indeed.

Thank the rest of you for your responses. That is awesome that this was taught in your schools. In my school it wasn't and most people I know weren't taught this in schools either. It wasn't until high school and college, that I did my own research and learned outside of what was being "taught" to me.

Also to most white people I know personally and professionally, this was FAR from common knowledge to them. Depending on where they grew up, they pretty much only heard the stereotypes or only heard of Africa as being this poor place with all these sick dying people. They never learned about the rich history or anything like that, especially about the oldest human remains coming from there.

LOL, regarding the ignorant comment about my education being "minimal." In fact, I went to one of the top grade and high schools in Chicago and so did most of my friends. So if this is what we were being taught at one of the top 5 schools in Chicago, I can only imagine what is being taught at other schools.

And if you bothered to just read my previous comment, I was just saying that it wasn't limited to my education or that of my friends People I have met throughout life, White, Black or otherwise, didn't know this information and they were from different cities and received various forms of education. I'm in graduate school now, again at a pretigious university, and some of my cohorts didn't know this information either. So again, it isn't common knowledge.

And what difference does it make you say? The difference is it is the truth and most aren't exposed to it and should be.

Geez, for those that can't read THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE. Africa isn't limited to Black people you know, White people, as well as many other ethnicities reside in Africa. So now Im racist for wanting the truth to be known. Mmmkay, I see we have some posters with very limited minds and can't critically think without turning the conversation into something it isnt.

Thank you all for your responses:) I really appreciate it and Im so happy to see that this is being taught more often than not!

@joker-actually if you read my comments, while I am speaking from someone being raised in Chicago, my friends and collegues come from various cities around the U.S. and this wasn't taught to them either.

Also, if you look at the responses so far, while this has been common knowledge for some, it hasn't been everyone's experience. I'm a pretty intelligent young woman, I've maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout college and now in graduate school. So it isn't a matter of me not remembering being taught this information, it just WASN'T taught. Please don't attempt to insult my intelligence as if Im just asking some frivilous question simply because "I don't remember" being taught this. Of course I remember. And I've already expressed my concerns to CPS a long time ago and so have many others. But thanks for your concern:)

Answer 1

I thought everyone knew this. Are you telling me they don't?

Maybe it's an American thing, not sure. But I'm Canadian, grew up in Canada, and even attended a Catholic Grade School, and I knew this.

I may not have been taught in my first years of school this, being that it was a religious school, and we were supposed to believe in literal creationism.

I am sure however, my public school colleagues would have been aware of it.

I thought everyone knew this.. I'm truly shocked that you are telling me people don't know this.

But then again, anyone who believes in evolution of the human species should "KNOW" this, only the truly religious who believe in creationism, would have an excuse to be BLIND.

But any other reasonable person must already know this.

Answer 2

I think you need to pose this question to the Chicago School Board. It seems like myself and everyone else already learned this in school. Could it be that you don't remember learning it?

You are amazing and even more so if you can remember what you were taught but forgot. It was taught here in Texas so I just assumed it was taught everywhere. Seems kinda basic when teaching the evolution of mankind that it had to start somewhere. Maybe you can remember where you were taught that it started. Maybe your teacher purposely taught that it started in Ireland or something. Who Knows.

Answer 3

I learned that in junior high when I was 13. I had an American History class and an African history class. In my American history class the teachers did not talk about it. I learned nothing about it in high school (we learned about Africa, but nothing about the oldest human remains). My junior high school was in a "Minority" neighborhood, and my high school was not. I think that most schools teach nothing about Africa until it's "Slavery Time." I'm in college now (18) and most of my friends have no idea. Very sad.

Answer 4

I was taught this in school. The Fertile Crescent. So I don't know why you think that its not taught. I went to school in a small town in TN, also. Maybe now its not taught because of the inane creationism vs. evolution debate.

Answer 5

I have heard this before. It seems like common knowledge. I remember it in my classes at school. Not history of course, but in my science class. It would not be in history because there is no recorded history of people at this time. The study of these early humans would be more in the realm of science.

Answer 6

Such things as scientific discoveries of this nature, since they don't involve violent death, seldom are reported in the news, although the information is very easily available to anyone who cares to do even the most minimal research.

Answer 7

It is known by many people probably so much that they dont even have to teach it in school. Actually I think I learned that in school anyway.

Answer 8

It is. big wow. You cant teach everything to everyone, just because your education was minimal, doesn't mean that it isn't taught. What difference does it make anyhow.

Answer 9

What school do you go to?? What grade did you get to?? It is shoved down our throats almost on a daily basis......... I think I smell a race baiter here.

I bet you, your one of those that are upset that blk history month is the shortest month??? Please go spew your racism elsewhere.

Answer 10

I see someone is lying about it being shoved down their throats....