Studying American History

I remember learning about American history as I grew up in the New York public school system. Much of it was European history. Of course, we had the one-day discussions, covered the requisite non-European topics such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and a few others. But I remember learning more about England and our conflicted Presidents, whose practices usually ran contrary to their espoused values, than I did about the complex and multicultural history that is truly American history.

It wasn't until I attended college and enrolled in an African-American studies course that I became enlightened about a whole other side of American history that, at that time, was seldom taught in public schools. After learning about the contributions of African-Americans - their inventions and achievements (usually against all odds) - I remember feeling somewhat slighted by my public school education. I felt cheated, lied to, wronged. How many times had I encountered the arrogance of Whites who truly believed that African-Americans (or any other groups for that matter) have never invented anything, never made any valuable contributions to our country.

I took it upon myself then, to learn about the contributions of other cultural groups. When I say contributions, I refer to the significant efforts and actions taken by members of non-White groups that helped build the foundations of this country, shaped the American culture that earned recognition as unique and distinct from England, and, directly led to the success of our nation. America has always been a multicultural nation, although today some seem to have forgotten, or choose to ignore this basic truth. "America is for Americans," these individuals chant as they protest immigration, but the "American" face they envision is European. White. Not Asian (like those who helped us build our early railroads). Not African (like those whose services, whether voluntary or involuntary, directly led to the establishment of wealth in certain parts of this country). And certinaly, not Native (like the very people from which this rich and beautiful land was stolen).

I reflected on the richness of this new information I'd learned and decided that I believed strongly in a multicultural education on American History - one that accurately reflected the truth about our country's beginnings, that America was built on the efforts of not just European Whites, but many groups coming together and shaping the nation that so many of us - White, Black, Brown and Red - call "home."

A new exhibit echoes this sentiment.

Article Continues...The New Rosenbach Exhibit...