African American Elementary Curriculum for the Future

In the course of putting together an African American Elementary Curriculum for the Future I encountered some disturbing reviews of a book by noted historian J.A. Rogers. The book is entitled Your History and is made up of articles akin to Ripley's Believe It Or Not."

Each and every page is chock full of information that runs the gamut from disturbing to informative. The pictures are revealing studies in the various personalities and events, which have occurred involving the lives of Africans from the beginning of time to the present, which in this case would have been the original publication date of 1940.



In cases where pictures were available they were used by the artist to develop his sketches. But, in many cases there were no pictures and at that point George Lee, the artist, took the liberty to create what he thought were realistic depictions. This was meant to be a popular work that was accessible to the public via a network of Black newspapers and was put into national syndication. It was not meant to stand up to scholarly debate or scrutiny.

However, because of the sensitive nature of the topic the reviewers took offense to much of what was contained within these pages and skewered the author, when it was they, themselves that needed to be skewered for not placing the document into its proper framework. They in fact, commit some of the same types of error of fact in the process, delivering false charges that the author was also the illustrator, and noting the lack of references, without noting the source of the document, which I believe to be the Pittsburgh Courier.

I really appreciate the fact that the reviewers took some time to give a critical analysis of this important book. However, I would hope that in the future they would check their own facts before making brash statements, which themselves were off base.

Admittedly, as Black Classic Press clearly states, J.A. Rogers was a "race" man and was attempting to prove a point, so at times some of his facts may come into question.

J.A. Rogers is "the historian" that was most vociferous in bringing to light many of the stories we now accept as being the bedrock of Pan-African Studies, or Black Studies. He was also known for using photography in conjunction with his historiography. This is a real sore point when acquiring his works now being published by large companies like Macmillian & Co., where the literally hundreds of photos of people or statues of persons have been excised from his major work "The World's Great Men of Color." This really diminished the impact of his work, because, as we all know, a picture is worth a thousand words.

In conclusion, I'll be the first one to admit that I just recently noted a discrepancy in a depiction of the 11 churches of Lalibela Ethiopia, which are monolithic structures carved out of the bedrock of the Ethiopian highlands. Mr. Lee made them look like large mudhuts, as opposed to the architectural masterpieces that they are in actuality.

Overall, I've noted the book is fairly accurate in it's portrayal of the personalities and events it depicts, but I wouldn't give it any more, or less credibility than "Ripley's Believe It Or Not," whose museum in Hollywood is a real eye-opener. So, while you're fact checking, why don't you check into the validity of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."

Meanwhile, I think I'll keep supporting African American Museums and historical sites, who undoubtedly owe a great deal to J.A. Rogers, as one of the pioneers in the study of Pan-African history. By the way the newest museum of African American history will be opening soon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as a part of the Smithsonian, I wonder who they'll feature in their exhibits?

Pan-African Film Festival 2008

The Pan-African Film Festival 2008

February 7th - 28th
(Thursday evenings)
4:00pm - 7:00pm

Stewart Africentric Elementary School
1199 Vernon Odom Blvd.
Akron, Ohio 44307

All presentations will begin promptly at 15 min. after the hour. A question and answer period will follow the 2nd film. Light refreshments will be included free of charge. Children are welcome but they must be supervised by their parents at all times.

February 7
Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella (35 min.) - A film portrait by noted director Les Blank on the life and passion of one of the most outstanding Cuban drummers of our time. Featuring interviews with Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana and Katherine Dunham.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1.5 hours) - The story of Miss Jane Pittman's 110 year life from slavery to the civil rights struggle of the sixties.

February 14
Black Indians: An American Story (1 hour) - (as seen on ABC) brings to light a forgotten part of Americans past - the cultural and racial fusion of Native and African Americans. Narrated by James Earl Jones, "Black Indian" An American Story" explores what brought the two groups together, what drove them apart and the challenges they face today.

Different But Equal (1 hour) - Different but Equal, examines the cultures of early Africa. Much of this information is based on art and artifacts from pyramids, caves, and tombs from Egypt and Meroe in ancient Sudan, with an emphasis on Meroe. Davidson brings up the importance of interactions between Africa and Europe, noting that differences in race were not sources of hostility and distrust during either the classic or medieval eras.

February 21
Flyers In Search of A Dream (1 hour) - A documentary on the history of African American aviation which includes segments on:
Bessie Coleman, the first African American to be licensed as a pilot.
William J. Powell, Sr., an early promoter of airmindedness in the black community.
Herbert Julian (The Black Eagle), who was, by and large, the most internationally renowned African American flyer of his time, having had a large part to play in the formation of the first African Airforce, during the reign of Emporer Haile Selassie.

Ida B. Wells A Passion for Justice (1 hour) - documents the dramatic life and turbulent times of the pioneering African American journalist, activist, suffragist and anti-lynching crusader of the post-Reconstruction period. Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison reads selections from Wells' memoirs and other writings in this winner of more than 20 film festival awards.

February 28
Roots Daughters (1.5 hours) - Sixteen Rastawomen on 3 continents share the experiences and inspiration that led to the development of a world wide spiritual and political movement known as Rastafari and their role in that movement.

For the latest updates on the state of the Black go to blakfacts.blogspot.com!