African American History

Despite our99% white student body, the question emerges every February, "what are the history teachers of Lansing High doing about Black History month?" The question usually comes from a parent of one of the few black students that attend our school. While some teachers quickly hop to defend their teaching and 'prove' that it is addressed, I don't say much. It doesn't bother me that there is a month dedicated to black history. However, I don't believe that teachers should address African American history as a single unit or only in February. I believe it should be integrated throughout the curriculum. Because African Americans played a significant role in American History, it is crucial to address the subject within each particular unit of study.
I understand why there is a push for black history--because so much of it has been left out of American history textbooks for so long. Even teachers of American history have a lot to learn about black history because we grew up with that missing. As more training is available, Black history will be part of the regular curriculum and not a supplement.