THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502170080
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TEENSPEAK
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
YOU SEE IT everywhere in February, heightened interest in the contributions of African Americans to our nation's heritage.
It's Black History Month, and teachers and community leaders have planned events to mark the occasion.
Students at Salem High School in Virginia Beach said they appreciated the time set aside to recognize black Americans, but all six said they believed schools should work harder to infuse black studies throughout the curriculum, not just in history classes or during one month of the year.
``America is such a melting pot that with all the contributions that have been made, there should be a national concentration throughout the whole year'' of all cultures, said Amantha P. Feldman, 18, a senior.
``You can do much more,'' said Jennifer L. Kim, 16, a junior.
``I feel a lot of African Americans helped pave the way for us today,'' said Jeff Bates Jr., 17, a senior.
``They've done a lot, and I think people should know about it,'' said Rollan J. Ibanez, 17, a senior.
Anthony J. Williams, 18, a senior, said that until his Virginia/U.S. history course last year, he never really studied black culture or black history. He had a black teacher who was keenly interested in passing such awareness to her students.
Once, the teacher dressed like a slave and talked to the students about what it was like to be born into bondage. For another assignment, kids were asked to portray famous figures from black history.
Much depends, the Salem students said, on a teacher's educational background and commitment to teaching about other cultures. But the students did not lay all the responsibility on the schools.
``It depends on the parents too,'' Jeff said. ``Because sometimes they don't really care. . . . If you don't see that in them, you won't do anything'' to learn about other cultures.
Sherlane N. Armstrong, 17, a senior, said it is up to students to attend community events commemorating other cultures.
``If you really want to learn about it, then you will learn,'' she said. by CNB