Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Black History Matters Act
Today, Representative Watson Coleman introduced the Black History Matters Act; legislation directing the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to conduct a study of the quality and efforts of Black history education in public elementary and secondary schools.
This study aims to assess the requirements of Black history education in public elementary and secondary schools and the quality of these curriculums based on indicators such as in-class discussions, educational activities outside of the classroom, and project-based learning. It also will examine the comprehensiveness of Black history lessons and topics such as the history of African Americans and other marginalized communities, the history of racism, and lessons of slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow Laws, and the Civil Rights Movement.
A 2015 study conducted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and Oberg Research found that, on average 8-9%, of history class time focuses on Black History, and some states ignore it altogether. Proudly, New Jersey is one of the states that require Black history to be taught in elementary and secondary schools.
“Black history is American history, and our education system needs to accurately reflect this nation’s history,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “Our voices cannot and will not be erased because when the value of the contributions of Black Americans is dismissed, it’s that much easier to dismiss the value of Black lives. I am introducing this legislation to preserve Black history and uplift our voice.”
The Black History Matters Act is co-sponsored by LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr, (GA-4), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) Jim McGovern (MA-2), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-1) Bennie G. Thompson (MS-2), Al Green (TX-9), Troy A. Carter (LA-2), Gwen Moore (WI-4), André Carson (IN-7), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Danny K. Davis (IL-7), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Jahana Hayes (CT-5), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Adraino Espaillat (NY-13), Robin L. Kelly (IL-2), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Sylvester Turner (TX-18), Nydia Velazquez (NY-7), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Robert Menendez (NJ-8), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-3), Stacey E. Plaskett (Virgin Islands-At Large), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13).
The Black History Matters Act can be read here.