Gayle Evans, the Tutorial Coordinator, of the Act 101-GOALS Program presented an
open discussion of Black History in America of how there is only a portion of history about
African Americans that people seem to know on Wednesday, February 28th in what was
supposed to be a Fireside Chat.
Of the limited people who participated in the discussion, many people could only name a
few African Americans who had an impact on American History. Gayle Evans pointed out that
before any person involved in the discussion could name a famous African American, she could
already state the name before anyone spoke.
Many people mostly knew or heard of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., or Malcom X. For
most people whose ethnic background does not involve African American History do not even
know why February is called Black History month.
Carter G. Woodson initiated Black History. He started the Black History week during the
second week of February to honor two people who impacted African Americans, Abraham
Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976 February became the official month of Black History.
During the discussion of Black History, questions were asked how come text books limit
the amount of information given on Black History? Why do these books seem to stear away from
supporting more information about black history?.
However, like black history other ethnic groups question why is there not more
information given on their history.
During the discussion most people agreed on asking the same question, "what is it going
to take to get all information of history into one history book?"
Gayle Evans stated that in order for society to change it has to start with individuals to
change it.
The discussion then turned toward a more open talk about race. Why is there still
prejudice in our country? Are we not all created equal in this country?
It was brought out that we became an independent country, but then we ended up owning
people. The 14th Amendmant to the Constitution was also brought out that it states that all
persons must be treated equally.
But still there are many prejudices today that do not help the coming together of our
country.