By Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
As we celebrate Black History Month and the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, there is an ongoing effort among some MAGA Republicans in state legislatures across the country to ban books and remove Black history from school curriculums.
Let me be clear: Black history is American history, and I find it incredibly offensive, dangerous, and un-American that some states would try to keep that important part of America’s story hidden from our students and the next generation of leaders.
That’s why I joined Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Steven Horsford (D-NV), and other members of the CBC to introduce multiple bills that would preserve and protect Black history in our public schools.
The African American History Act, Black History is American History Act, and National Council on African American History and Culture Act are three legislative proposals that would ensure states cannot simply ban Black history from public schools without facing repercussions.
Additionally, the bills would strengthen support for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, provide grant funding to support Black history education programs, and amplify the work of Black creators to ensure Black history and culture is recognized.
It is impossible to tell the full, true history of the United States of America without discussing the painful and powerful history of Black Americans. Our story deserves to be told in the classroom, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is.
Introduced Black History Bills
- The African American History Act was introduced by Rep. Bowman and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and would invest $10 million over five years in the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support African American history education programs that are voluntarily available for students, parents, and educators.
- The Black History is American History Act was introduced by Rep. Beatty and would mandate the inclusion of Black history as a required component of the American History and Civics Academies’ competitive grants administered by the U.S. Dept. of Education. Additionally, the bill would promote the use of resources offered by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- The National Council on African American History and Culture Act was introduced by Rep Mfume and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and would create a 12-person National Council on African American History and Culture to educate, preserve, and celebrate Black history and culture. The council would do this by advising the National Endowment for the Humanities on how they can best amplify the work of Black creators, strengthen teaching and learning in schools to ensure Black history and culture is recognized, and provide critical resources dedicated to preserving Black history.