With the U.S. celebrating Black History Month in February, Sen. Cory Booker is looking to help educate the American public about the richness and complexity of African American history.
Joined by Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Booker noted it was incredibly important for all Americans to understand the impacts of racism, white supremacy, and the struggle for justice in the nation’s history.
“The story of Black people in America is inextricably linked to the story of America. The fullness of this rich history must be told—both its dark chapters and the light brought by generations of people determined to overcome and make our country better through an ongoing quest for justice,” said Booker.
Reaction to Florida Ban
Booker highlighted the historical tract of African American history being erased as part of the overall American story, and looked to Florida’s attempt to ban an AP course on African American studies as proof that the dynamic was alive and well in the current day.
“It is our moral imperative to tell the truth about our past to finally reconcile with this nation’s history of racism and white nationalism, and our legislation will serve as a vital component in our fight to do just that,” added Bowman.
Providing Support for the NMAAHC
Under the legislation, $10 million would be invested in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) over five years. The investment would be directed to support African American history education programs that are voluntarily available.
The bill would help NMAAHC in developing and maintaining resources to promote understanding of African American history, including digital content on the NMAAHC website.
“We have seen this happen far too many times throughout history—where some dismiss our important stories and intentionally change the way history is told to fit political agendas,” said Booker.
Expanding Educational Opportunities
These resources would be available for educators, students, and families across the country seeking to engage with this type of content.
Additionally, the funding is expected to help NMAAHC to engage with the public through programming, resources, and social media to raise awareness of African American history.
The funding would also be used to help develop high-quality pedagogy related to the teaching of African American history, and provide opportunities for professional development.
“As we begin Black History Month, I am proud to reintroduce this legislation that will invest in initiatives to make African American history education programs more accessible to the public, help educators incorporate these programs into their curriculum, and develop additional resources focused on Black History for students and families to engage with,” concluded Booker.
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