What Can We Tell Children About Black History

Ruby Bridges
Norman Rockwell - The Problem We All Live With

Often young students think that they can't relate to history. They believe history is the story of another time and another generation. Maybe, if they realized the important role Black children and young adults have played in the formation of  American history they would be more interested. American history would be very different without the pivotal role played by young Black children.

During slavery children started working as early as six years old.  They along with their parents worked in the fields and homes providing  the free labor that allowed this country to develop into the economic power that it is today. 

After slavery educating children to read and write became a priority. Former slaves set up schools where young people were taught and in turn taught others. For these young people education and knowledge became the tool for social advancement.  Today children need to understand how important education was for these young people and how eager they were to learn. Today children need to be reminded that education is still the key to our advancement.

We can't talk about the Civil Rights Movement without mentioning the participation of young people like Ruby Bridges and Lynda Blackmon Lowery. Ruby Bridges has become an iconic figure representing the young children who integrated schools after Brown vs The Board of Eduction made segregated schools unconstitutional. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, author of "Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom," was  one of the youngest participants in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. Several years before she had heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak and joined the movement at a very young age. There she learned the principles of non violence, and was beaten during the Selma to Montgomery March. They were not alone. There were many young people across the country stepping out against segregation and racism. Young adults sat at lunchroom counters, integrated classrooms. marched, and were beaten and jailed for their convictions.

Black History Month offers an opportunity for young people to learn about these courageous people who at a very young age made a difference and paved the way for their generation.