The Delaware House approved a bill that would mandate schools teach Black history Thursday despite opposition from half the Republican caucus. Thirty-three representatives voted in favor of the proposal, while seven voted against it and one abstained. House Bill 198 would require Delaware public schools incorporate into their regular curricula lessons about the trials, tribulations and accomplishments of Black people, including African history, the role slavery and white supremacy played in the development of the United States (especially the Civil War), legal segregation after the war and Black contributions to America. The legislation aims to tackle the history and the impact of racism, “prepare students to be responsible citizens in a pluralistic democracy” and “reaffirm the commitment of free peoples to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” which outlawed slavery.
- When has it not been taught? It always has and still is. Get a grip. — Ashley Nicole
- They teach slavery, maybe civil rights (mostly a watered-down version of MLK), and anything else is optional, if even offered. — Monique Miller
- Be honest and, without Googling it, tell me the names of some African American inventors. Poets whose work was instrumental in inspiring the Declaration of Independence. Tell us what U.S.-born-and-raised citizens of color have done that contributed to the founding of our nation. If you cannot do this without doing a quick search, then that indicates it was never taught to you. You only have been taught what White males did to make our country great. And it’s an incomplete, inaccurate teaching of history. That’s why this is needed. Ignorance and racism by omission has no place in real education. There are otherwise well-informed people who legitimately don’t know of anything citizens of color have done for this country other than civil rights! Newsflash: Phillis Wheatley, Benjamin Banneker, Lewis Latimer, George Washington Carver, Matthew Henson, Crispus Attucks and so many more. These are Americans who fundamentally changed our nation and the world with their contributions. Are you really going to pretend you knew that? — Sabrina Malone
- Then again, I was home-schooled, so I’m pretty sure my education was more well-rounded than most. I was pretty shocked recently to find out some of the things my peers didn’t know. — Katherine Hannah
- They should also teach cursive. being the Bill of Rights and Constitution is written in it, but what better way to keep the new generations from knowing!? — Amanda Kollock
- I don’t know what’s worse: the fact that people are actually angry about this or the fact that it doesn’t surprise me. — John Anderson
- I hope some of the lesser-known Black history will be revealed. Tulsa Race Massacre and Wilmington Coup. — Joan Glover-Wire
- Black history is American history, no matter how hard it is to discuss. It teaches all of us empathy, dignity, humanity and generosity. To do better as a society. Most of all, equality! — Deb DiArchangel
- Kids learning history accurately is very important. If this bill is supporting accuracy, than it’s a very good thing. Before we all roast each other at the stake, why not investigate what exactly the subject matter is and make sure kids will be learning a curriculum developed by well-versed educators who are concerned with accuracy and understanding for everyone? — Heather Laskey
- Why can’t it be taught as American history like it did years ago? — Christine Ward
- We have a whole month of it. Enough already. — Robert Clark
- What exactly is being taught that has so many people upset? — Wendy Mcallister Reaume
- Should be incorporated into American history as a whole. — Denise King
