Black history aid
Editor, The Commercial:
February is recognized as Black History Month, but it should be replaced with the concept of celebrating 12 months of Black History. The current single month is too limited, with only 28 or 29 days, to adequately cover the significance of Black History, which is an integral part of American History.
By shifting the focus to teaching Black History year-round, educators can fully seize the opportunity to enrich their curriculum and acknowledge its importance every day of the year.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Woodson Center offers a K-12 curriculum focused on Black history and character development, rooted in the Woodson Principles. This curriculum highlights the stories of Black Americans who demonstrated tenacity and resilience in overcoming adversity and making valuable contributions to our country.
Additionally, it teaches essential character and decision-making skills to empower students to take control of their futures. All lessons are on Black American excellence and are available for free to the public. Also, these lessons have received a positive review from Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
The curriculum is free (https://woodsoncenter.org/how-we-help/curriculum/) and Secretary Jacob Oliva has indicated that the lessons will be made available for use as a resource for all districts in the state.
PBICVR Pastors on Patrol are using the Woodson Center’s curriculum and teaching the MLK Six Principles of Nonviolence in some of the schools in Pine Bluff resulting in less negative behavior and good decision making.
Rev. Jesse C. Turner,
Executive director,
Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc.