Why is it that European History and American History the ONLY thing (just about) taught in schools in America?

Question

why is it that African Americans, aren't getting the information they need to learn about THEIR culture in America? and other people of color like Spanish Americans( Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Mexicans..etc..)

Answer 1

We spend quite a bit of time on African-American history in the standard US history class at my school, covering topics like slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, lynching, the NAACP, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Civil Rights movement. In our World history class we teach a large unit on Mexico and we cover several topics in Latin American history. I would agree that the majority of both classes focuses on Europe, however, which can be very demotivating for students of color.

Things are this way because of limited time and money. We have to cover all of US history in one year, so we don't have enough time to cover every topic or group in detail. Most public high schools don't have enough money to offer history electives such as African American history.

The good news is once you get to college you can take history classes that focus on specific groups or topics of interest to you!

P.S. What's with all the hate in these answers!?!

And to the previous poster, people have been saying there is a "crisis" in the American education system for at least 40 years. It's pretty amazing that during that entire period the US led the world in new inventions, business, medicine, technology, computers, etc., and continues to do so today. It's also amazing that every year thousands of students from Europe and Asia come to the US for college and grad school.

Answer 2

I hope this is getting better.
When I went to school (I am almost 50 now) history began in 1492, Asia didn't exist except for Viet Nam on the nightly news, and Russia was a big mysterious region on the world map that had just one city called Moscow.

I am still amazed by how bad my education was.

Now, I have seen homes that were built before 1492, been to China, visited that one Russian city and found other cities there, too.
In short, to get a real education, I've had to get it without the help of the American public education system.

It is embarrassing when I meet German high school students that are learning things that Americans barely get in college.

It makes me fear for the future of my country.

Answer 3

First, this country was founded by the Europeans, we have a shared history. Second, we celebrate African American history month every year. Third, we teach the culture of our ancestors.We need to serve the majority. There is hardly enough money to teach the little bit they do. If they tried to cover every culture, no one would learn math!

Answer 4

Historical study in every country in the world will focus primarily on the host country's history and the history of the countries that had the greatest influence on its culture.

Every state in the U.S. has different standards although they share some of the same requirements. I don't think that kids in New York are required to study Texas or Minnesota history except in passing.

What is lacking in U.S. education is focus on literacy, critical thinking, and research skills. Literacy should be by far the most important focus of education because it is the primary tool students use to learn.

I'll bet that people who can't answer the simplest questions on history, culture, geography, or current events are also only marginally literate.

Answer 5

Their culture? If they live here, they should be adapting to OUR culture. Learning American History is part of that process. The USA is part the Western Civilization. Learning about that civilization before the others is correct.

Answer 6

Generally in tuition you are taught approximately the historical past of your nation So within the UK, our historical past is tied up with white folks given that they are what our nation, and our neighbouring nations, are as a rule made from. Our historical past is almost always approximately being invaded via or going to struggle with different white international locations. When watching at slavery, it is given that at the entire at that factor in historical past was once often black folks

Answer 7

Many schools DO teach about other cultures. They usually eliminate another subject in order to fit it in. P. E., music, or arts are often dropped.

I assume you are a person of color, but you refer to "Them" and "Their." Are you or are you simply defending their rights for them?

Before you cause a stir, you need to be aware that parents are the ones who make the changes in curriculum. When THEY demand something, it gets changed.

Answer 8

Tradition.