English Blog Numero Three: Civil Rights Curriculum

This was taken from the ABC News website: (http://abcnews.go.com/US/mississippi-schools-introduce-civil-rights-curriculum/Story?id=8793332&page=1), written by Carmen K. Sisson on October 11, 2009.

The story is about the US State of Mississippi mandating Civil Rights to be part of the US History curriculum. It is said to be a groundbreaking reform -- believed to be the first one in the country. It will be taught and tested all throughout the Mississippi public school system. Proponents such as state curriculum specialist Chauncey Spears wonders how we can have such a strong educational program with high-achieving students who have little understanding of history. Black civil rights organizer Jacquelyn Martin believes that healing does not begin until the problem is talked about. The story also covers some opponents of the new bill, saying that the wound is still fresh, and it does not need to be talked about.

I believe this story is worthy of attention because it is in fact true that many students in this country do not know much about their nation's history, let alone the number of presidents this country already has had, and the names of prominent leaders who run this country. I found the news with little bias, since Sisson covered both views on this new law. However, even though both sides of the situation were outlined, I found that very little was said about the opponents of the bill. Regardless, I found this story interesting, and I think it should really be part of US History curriculum. Not just in Mississippi, but nationwide. It sounds interesting to learn the struggle that Americans went through to shape this country that I now call home. And I do agree with one of the proponents saying that healing does not begin until we start talking about it. The story of ordinary groups of people going through extraordinary lengths to acquire the freedom that they have been promised after the Emancipation Proclamation is extremely moving. The injustice and inequality that happened throughout those years should be something that students nationwide should be familiarized with, because I believe that through this, they will know the origins of all the prejudice and hatred that are plaguing the society. That way, educating everyone about that particular issue would eradicate most ignorance that some people hold to this day about race matters.

Also, maybe, just maybe, people would be a little more careful in their assumption that all the Asians they meet are Chinese. HAAAAH. Completely irrelevant.

Fin. :D