February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of people of African descent. However, it’s important to remember that black history is not just relegated to one month out of the year – it should be celebrated all year round! That’s why schools need to offer culturally inclusive programming that engages students with African heritage throughout the school year. Programs like after school drop-in art classes are a great way to start. In these classes, students can learn from pioneers and professional practitioners from the BIPOC community about relevant Canadian history and culture that has been largely overlooked in traditional curriculums.
Celebrating African heritage is an incredibly important part of our educational system, and should be celebrated not just during the month of February but throughout the entire school year. In order to truly understand and appreciate the rich culture of Africa and its diaspora, students must be able to learn about it in a meaningful way that goes beyond performance art.
That’s why it’s so important for schools to offer culturally inclusive programming all year round. Programs we offer are great places to begin engaging with African heritage by centering on Toronto’s Black art culture and history. With these classes, students can learn from pioneers and professional practitioners from the BIPOC community about relevant Canadian history and culture that has been largely overlooked in traditional curriculums.
These programs are also beneficial for helping bridge cultural gaps within schools as well as between different generations. It provides a platform for older generations to pass down their knowledge of African heritage while giving younger generations a chance to experience it in a meaningful way. By offering programs like these throughout the school year, students can gain an appreciation of Africa’s contribution to art and culture while also developing an understanding of their own diverse identities.
In addition, celebrating African heritage provides an opportunity for students to become more aware of systemic racism and how certain populations have been marginalized within society. Through discussion-based activities related to African heritage, teachers can help their students gain insight into social justice issues that affect people on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean – including those living in Canada today – by connecting them with current events happening around the world. This can then lead to further exploration into historic injustices inflicted on countless generations of Africans due to colonization and enslavement.
Ultimately, celebrating African heritage can provide students with strong foundations for future success as global citizens with an appreciation for diversity. When done correctly, programs focused on understanding African cultures can promote student engagement across various subjects while providing vital life skills such as empathy, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, problem solving and communication. By taking advantage of these opportunities available through celebrating African heritage all year long, we can create a more inclusive learning environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves without fear or judgement.
