]
About the Author: Gerri Gribi
Education
Lesley University, Cambridge MA
MA - Interdisciplinary Studies/African American Studies Concentration
Thomas More College, Ft. Mitchell, KY
B.A. Magna Cum Laude, History // Teaching Certification, Grades 7-12
Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society
Why I created this site (You can also view my complete
resume and credentials)
I graduated from Thomas More College with a B.A. in history and teaching
certification for grades 7-12 in 1976. After graduation I worked in the
Education Department of the Cincinnati Historical Society where I developed
supplementary materials for teaching local history, and made presentations
in schools.
Black history was just beginning to find its way into the curriculum
back then...barely. I had the good fortune to meet Dr. John Hope Franklin
in 1977 when he was doing research at the CHS, though (I'm embarrassed to
admit) I had somehow managed to spend four years in undergraduate history
courses without ever having heard of him or FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM. He
encouraged me to make sure black people were represented in my school presentations;
I quickly discovered Cincinnati had a strong African American heritage,
which sparked my interest in the subject.
My first two loves have always been history and music, particularly women's
history, and since the early 1980's I've been self-employed presenting concerts,
keynotes and workshops celebrating women's cultural heritage for schools,
colleges, performing arts centers and conferences across North America.
(I've recorded several albums, and you can read more about those and my
musical work at my homepage.)
I first ventured into cyberspace back in 1993, and was immediately hooked
on this fantastic new vehicle for communication and education. By 1995 I
was teaching others how to search for information on the 'net and in 1997
I built my first web site. In addition to serving as founder and editor
of the Women's Studies Category at the Netscape Open Directory Project,
I've shared my expertise in workshops and trainings, primarily for educators
and administrators in all curricular areas. (I create an online
toolkit to support each workshop.)
I've continued to travel , perform and lecture on topics in women's studies,
mixing in cyberspace at every opportunity. I'd always tried to be culturally
inclusive in my programs, but somewhere around Mid-Life Crisis Time I decided
I wanted to study black women's history and culture in earnest, primarily
to enhance my performances and presentations. So, in 2000 I became a graduate
student in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program of Lesley University in
Cambridge, MA, with a major in African American Studies.
Which brings us to Beyond Black History Month.
No black person has yet asked me "Why are YOU (ie. white girl) studying
African American history?" Lots of white people have asked. It never
occurred to me that I was doing something unusual. African American history
is American history. For example, slavery wasn't just a "cause
of the Civil War." It was an experience shared by and effecting millions
of Americans of all races.
Teaching American studies without including African American studies
is like teaching math without including the number 2...things just don't
add up.
Yet the study of black America is still primarily relegated to Black
History Month, and textbooks basically use an additive approach rather than
creating a more inclusive narrative that reflects how culturally diverse
this nation has always been. In my studies, I noticed that black history
had a way of getting found and lost and found (and lost) again. I feel the
best way to change the teaching of American studies is to make resources
available for exploring African American studies and culture in depth, and
to incorporate it into every curricular area where it belongs.
The internet allows these resources to be disseminated quickly and widely,
bypassing the traditional gatekeepers. However, having presented internet
workshops for educators of all levels, I understand the obstacles teachers
face in accessing and using online resources. Many lack the skills, time,
or computer access to search for quality resources. Some don't know how
to evaluate what they find. And still others don't know what they're looking
for in the first place.
While there were already African American Studies resources available
online for classroom teachers, most focused on a specific topic of interest,
or were just broad, random collections of links.
So for my thesis, I decided to create an online curriculum guide which
did the legwork for classroom teachers, organizing and providing recommendations
for some of the best resources available both on and offline, but also providing
ideas for ways to infuse African American Studies into the curriculum. I
call it Beyond Black History Month: The African American Studies Toolkit.
I'm fortunate to have had as my advisor Katherine Holmes, Assistant Director
and Head of Reference, Ludcke Library at Lesley University.
It quickly became apparant that my vision exceeded the requirements of
a master's thesis, so I consider the current version to be a prototype for
what could be. I'm currently seeking grant or other funding to complete
what I've begun.
2004 Update: I'm pleased to announce this
site received the 2004 Johnson Subvention Award from the Society for American
Music to further development of the MUSIC section.
2006 Update: There is a lot of discussion
lately about the usefulness of Black History Month. Some consider it insulting
that it's the shortest month, and suspect a plot to demean black history.
Others say it's no longer necessary, while still others say we should be
teaching black history all year round.
Carter G. Woodson, (1875-1950) noted Black scholar and historian
and son of former slaves, founded the Association for the Study of Negro
Life and History in 1915, which was later renamed the Association for the
Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) .He initiated Black History
Week, February 12, 1926. For many years the 2nd week of February (chosen
so as to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln)
was celebrated by black people in the United States. In 1976, as part of
the nation's Bicentennial, it was expanded and became established as Black
History Month. The fact that nobody seems to know the origin of Black History
Month itself is a sign of how much we need it!
I believe until the teaching of American history becomes more inclusive,
we will always need a special commemorative month. Otherwise, black history
won't get taught at all. And besides, setting a month aside doesn't imply
black history is unimportant the rest of the year. We set aside specific
days to honor veterans (November 11), to celebrate our freedom (July 4),
etc. But that doesn't imply we're supposed to forget about it the rest of
the year.
Gerri Gribi
http://creativefolk.com/toolkit/author.html
