One of the criticisms made about black history is that it is not well integrated into the American history books in classrooms. On this last day of Black History Month, YAAHA addresses this issue.
Recently, YAAHA became aware of the painting illustration in a classroom history book, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill by John Trumbull which omitted Peter Salem’s identity in the lower right-hand corner. This omission of Peter Salem denies the importance of the thousands of blacks who fought in an integrated Continental Army. In Black History 1619-2019, An Illustrated and Documented African American History, YAAHA celebrates essential milestones in American history where blacks are indispensable to the American story.
This inexcusable omission of Peter Salem also omits that blacks fought in every Revolutionary battle from Lexington and Concord to Yorktown. This fact is missing from classroom history books. These heroes include but are not limited to the likes of Crispus Attucks, Salem Poor, Prince Hall, Lemuel Hayes, Oliver Cromwell, Prince Estabrook, Phillip Abbott, James Armistead, Henry Hill, and Prince Whipple. These heroes were invaluable to the successful outcome of the American Revolution.
YAAHA believes that black history must be integrated into American history now.
“As February comes to a close, Project 21’s Marie Fischer says she looks forward to eradicating Black History Month in its current form.”
Melanie Collette commented, “While we celebrate blacks in history, we should look forward to a time when black history is viewed simply as American history.”