Interpreting_African_American_History

History 4231 04, September 2007 Interpreting African American History The beginning of the handout starts off with a small poem from The Brownies Book. The poem involves three children in a discussion on who they would like to be and who they admired from the historical figures in their books. The poem’s main point lies at the end, where two of the children are reminded of the importance of African American figures from the past, and how they are just as important as any other historical figure. This poems shows how African American history is often put as second priority while other historical figures such as Roosevelt and Betsy Ross remain prevalant in todays history lessons. The goal is to bring African history out of the darkness and into the light as discussed in Carter Woodson’s essay. Woodson’s essay points out society’s disregard for African history. Woodson feels that the general world view is that blacks lack a history worth mentioning, and that the African race contributed nothing of relevance to society. The essay argues that in order to fight these views, blacks must read the history of Africa and of their ancestors. By having a better understanding of the past, blacks will find out that they do have a history worth mentioning. Within African history they will find the motivation for greater achievements. Mary McLeod Bethune holds a similar argument within her essay. She believes that the youth will gain confidence and self-reliance by learning about African American history. She also stated that when history is taught, the corresponding African American history should be taught along with it. With knowledge of the past (Negro history), blacks will be able face the future with clear goals and objectives. Next, John Hope Franklin adresses the hardships that come along with being a African American scholar. Being a black scholar not only means you have to convince others of your ability to learn, but you also must struggle to be recognized as a scholar. Franklin later explains that his search for history outweighs the struggles of an African American scholar. The fifth essay, written by Vincent Harding, goes into the differences between Black history and Negro history. Negro history can best be described as a veil used to conceal the true history of blacks by highlighting African Americans contributions to American History. Vincent explains that Black History goes more in depth, from European heritage to the enslavement and death of blacks across the world. Negro history can be best described as only the “tip of the iceberg”. It only outlines surface accomplishments and contributions while the truth still lies dormant. John Hope Franklin discusses The History of African-American History. Franklin states that there have only been four generations of scholorship in African American history. The first generation (Booker T. Washington, George Washington Williams) focused on adaptation and conditions of living in the United states as an African American. The second generation of scholars (Woodson, Du Bois’) focused on the worth of Afro-Americans. The goal was to keep African American history and the race itself from being “swept under a rug” and neglected. The third generation of scholarship dealt with racism within the government and society. It was a time where white supremacy dominated the minds of many. Surprisingly there was a rise in white historians working in the field of Afro American studies, ranging from racial discrimination in education to African American intellectual history. It was the fourth generation which contained the largest group of African American historians. The area of study during this time was wide, ranging from slavery to the African American family. Franklin states that this vast range in study was ignited by the drive for equality and knowledge of the past. The general message conveyed in the essays mentioned can be seen in the poem by Lucille Clifton The Nurturing of History. History will inevitably come to the surface by its own will. It is important that we realize where we come from in order to get a better understanding of things as well as better prepare for the future. With knowledge of the past African Americans can be motivated to achieve great accomplishments as well as gain better self-confidence in themselves as a people.