My fourth grader has been studying Ida B Wells-Barnett this week as one of her Black History month projects. We both learned that she was one of the founders of the NAACP and we had a frank discussion about lynchings, mob actions and her writing career. Today, I was quite surprised to hear that TODAY is actually the 100 year anniversary of the NAACP (and it's 100 day at school today too), so we had even more to talk about.
I love it when materials the kids study at school have a relevant place in today's world. It just makes it all come alive and easier to remember too.
I also took the opportunity to connect Mrs. Wells-Barnett to our family history, by explaining that our Great-Great-Great Grandfather may have read her articles in the late 1800's.
What I am concerned about it, in studying four different notable people for Black History Month, is how many biographies are missing from the library shelves that are written at a child's level. (note to self...book project during retirement years)
We've come a long way in the last 100+ years, but we have a long way to go.
Photo Credit: library of congress
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