Tag: Langston Hughes

We Can Teach Black and LGBTQ History at the Same Time. In Fact, We Should.

My social media feeds were drenched with homophobia this week. People were saying how they really felt about my state, Illinois, joining other states mandating the teaching of LGBTQ history in schools.  And ignorance about the required teaching of African American history in schools made me feel like I was drowning in idiocy and hypocrisy. Hateful and disgusting questions infuriated me—like Fred Williams’ question…

Is Your Child Being Taught Black History?

I asked them who was the first Black president. They eagerly and confidently responded, “Dr. King!”. I was extremely shocked and caught off guard by their answer, for multiple reasons. At the moment I was leading a discussion at a primarily African American, after-school program, on the South side of Chicago. But it wasn’t just the South side of Chicago.…