With half-closed eyes and reluctance, I opened my laptop to attend my first social studies class of 7th grade: Texas History. For me, history classes before then often meant hours of incorrect information and skewed perspectives that praised colonizers and attacked anyone of color. As a Pakistani immigrant, it’s easy to understand why I was so hesitant to attend this class at 8:30 in the morning. Nonetheless, I launched the Zoom meeting and prepared to introduce myself.
It is an understatement to say I was surprised when my new history teacher, Ms. Amos, began with a curriculum that finally mirrored my experiences. She made it clear that Texas’s history was filled with tragedy and hatred. She emphasized that all perspectives would be included in her classroom, not just those of the “white man”. I heard her expand and reflect on my identity through conversations about the Partition of the Indian Subcontinent, showing the struggles of women from across the world. This was the first time I ever felt represented in a history class. It made me realize the impact of uplifting marginalized people on students.
Since then, inclusive and accurate classrooms have become all the more important, especially through initiatives like AAPI History, Women’s History, and Black History Month. Students across the country who have felt diminished in their history classes have found that these initiatives are necessary and help them feel more included.
“It is important for young children especially to learn about the hardships, the brutality faced by the Black community, to learn as to what not to do… this way it reassures marginalized people that there’s still hope for the future generations,” says Srijan Singh, a high school student from Frisco, Texas.
Ikeoluwa Esan, a high school junior from Chandler, Arizona, says that she often sees Black stories being pushed out of the narrative in history books. “Students are often ignorant regarding the difficulties, nuances, and truths of Black stories, and I believe that the only way to confront and mitigate this ignorance is through proper education.”
Other students also say that Black History Month is necessary to acknowledge the sacrifices and advancements of African American people in the United States. “Black History Month provides a platform to celebrate Black culture, heritage, and the enduring impact of Black leaders, artists, scientists, and activists,” says Philadelphia student Shafia Malik.
As a student who felt ethnically excluded from her classmates in elementary school, I often felt the need to hide my Pakistani heritage and all of the unique stories that make me who I am. I remember one specific instance in 5th grade when my class was set to read a book about a young Pakistani girl. I immediately knew that my teacher would call on me to expand on my background to give context around the book. Because of my previous and continuous encounters with discrimination in the classroom, talking about where I came from became a thought that was anxiety-inducing. My experiences illustrate why cultural inclusivity is paramount and why efforts that make classrooms safe spaces for all students are crucial.
Across the country, educators are stepping up to improve their classrooms through everything from holding cultural events that celebrate diverse students’ backgrounds to teaching about different traditional practices.
High schooler Sanjith Tammana from Prosper, Texas, told me his history classrooms have attempted to represent historically oppressed communities more accurately. “In my AP US history class, we centered our learning around civil rights struggles and how women and those of colored heritage fought for their freedoms.”
Malik says that her teachers have tried to create an environment that fosters belonging through multimedia content like literature and art. “This year, my Spanish teacher did something a little different. She gave us a yellow paper that had multiple countries on it with various questions. Our job is to watch a video on the country and answer the questions accordingly in Spanish.”
Today, fostering inclusivity and empathy is becoming increasingly difficult in classrooms because of all the limits imposed on educators through legislation that bans books and anti-CRT laws. Moreover, with the recent administration’s attack on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and increasing censorship, the education of many high school students such as myself hangs in the balance. We fear not only what this means for our classrooms and curricula but also for those of future generations.
My little sister — an elementary school student — has always been a mirror for my experiences, especially when I hear about the discrimination she faces in her classrooms. I am both fearful and devastated by the idea that she could potentially face more exclusion at school because of recent actions taken by the new administration. Especially at a time of increasing bigotry against Islamic populations, my 10-year-old sister encapsulates why inclusivity is more important now than ever.
Students across the country agree. Esan told me that she feels like we’re backpedaling on years of progress. “The erasure of DEI, which is what this new legislation is ultimately aiming to do, means a drastically heightened likelihood of the erasure of diverse stories and history in educational spaces.”
“Initiatives that provide students with a platform to express themselves and support their peers are important… in fostering inclusive and respectful dialogues…. These initiatives help create learning environments that encourage open discussion and mutual understanding,” says Tammana.
The United States is a country defined by its commitment to bringing together people from all over the world. In my hometown and border town of El Paso, the culture feels like a melting pot of people from every country in the world, creating a beautifully tight-knit community.
Students across the country agree that their communities are stronger when they are more diverse and when their schools promote cultural inclusivity. “I’m extremely grateful to say that my school doesn’t simply encourage diversity and cultural inclusion through smaller, classroom-wide initiatives, but through school-wide celebration,” said Esan.
At a time when everything from history to acceptance is under attack, we need to continue to uplift and celebrate marginalized and censored voices. I hope that we continue initiatives like Black History Month and that educators who truly value student knowledge will fight back against the limitations placed on them. I hope that, like me, one day, a young girl from anywhere in the country can step into a history classroom that changes her life and perspective forever.
Image by Nicola Tolin on Unsplash.com, licensed under CC 2.0.
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