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We need to teach
our students about the advanced kingdoms of Africa, not
the most primitive people in Africa.
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We teach our children
about the most advanced kingdoms in all other regions
of the world, but focus on the most primitive people
in Africa.
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Most Africans,
especially in the middle ages, lived under kings and
emperors. These kingdoms had vast systems of trade, taxation,
diverse economies and complex governments, which included
cabinets, lower levels of government, and court systems.
Some areas had castles, writing, currency, complex farming
techniques, advanced levels of metal smelting and extensive
trade with other regions of the world, including Europe.
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Our kids have
been groomed to believe Africa was always primitive until
Europeans lifted them to their current state; therefore
people from Africa are possibly mentally inferior overall.
That belief leads to false stereotypes, which opens the
door for discrimination and violence.
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Discrimination
leads to a less productive workforce, therefore a weaker
U.S. economy, because we are not utilizing our best talent.
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Please require
a question on the advanced kingdoms of Africa for the
state’s standardized test if there are questions
about the advanced kingdoms of other regions of the world.
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Any modern encyclopedia
or book on world history will include, or at least mention,
many of the advanced kingdoms of Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Mention that you
would like to know their opinion on the matter.
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Thank them for
their time.
Sample
Letter/Email:
Dear Representative Smith,
I believe our state’s curriculum
should include the advanced civilizations of Africa, if
we teach about the advanced civilizations of other regions
of the world.
Too often our schools ignore the most
advanced kingdoms in ancient and medieval Africa; instead
focusing on the most primitive people, such as the Bushman,
Pygmies, and Maasai, who represent less than .01% of Africa’s
population. The opposite is true when teaching about Europe,
Asia, the Mid-East, and the Americas, where we focus on
the most advanced civilizations. Why is that?
This upside-down practice can lead
to the belief that people from Africa are inferior, which
can lead to discrimination, racism, and violence.
Please take action, possibly by including
a question on our state’s standardized test about
an advanced kingdom of Africa.
I would like to get your opinion on
the matter. Thank you for you time.
Sincerely,
Name
p.s. for more information on Africa
go to:
www.pbs.org/wonders/
or
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index.shtml
or
www.Endingstereotypesforamerica.org
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MAJOR TV STATIONS & MAGAZINES
CONTACT INFORMATION
History Channel: http://www.historychannel.com/global/feedback/index.jsp?NetwCode=THC
Discovery Channel: http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/_contact/
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/aboutpbs_faqs.html
A & E: http://www.aetv.com/global/feedback/index.jsp?NetwCode=AEN
NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112
WebEditors@newsweek.com
MSNBC
One MSNBC Plaza
Secaucus, N.J. 07094
World@MSNBC.com
http://www.msnbc.com/news/435157.asp
CBS: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/contact/
National Geographic: ngsforum@nationalgeographic.com
Time Magazine: letters@time.com
U.S. News: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/usinfo/infomain.htm
Newsweek: WebEditors@newsweek.com
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SAMPLE
LETTERS
Sample 1
I would like to thank you for all the quality work you have provided. However,
I was recently watching a program of yours (or reading a magazine article)
and noticed you did not note that a black inventor discovered X (or African
kingdom conquered X, for instance). If this was done on purpose, I’m
appalled. If this was done by mistake, I’m here to let you know.
If this practice continues, especially if it is blatant, I will no longer
watch your programs (or read your magazine). Thank you for your time.
Sample 2
I would like to thank you for all the quality work you have provided. However,
I was recently watching a program (or reading an article) of yours where
it was stated that Africa never achieved X. This is false. The kingdom of
Y did achieve X. If this misstatement was done on purpose, I’m appalled.
If it was done in error, I’m here to let you know. If this practice
continues, especially if it is blatant, I will no longer watch your programs
(or read your magazine). Thank you for your time.
Sample 1—African History
Thank you for your quality work. However, I noticed you do not have a section
on the African kingdom of X (Nubia, Meroe, Mali, Sohghay, ect.). This
was a kingdom as advanced, or more advanced, than its medieval (or ancient)
counterparts in other parts of the world, yet you include those other
kingdoms. Please correct this omission. If this is not changed I will
no longer read your encyclopedia. Thank you for your time.
Sample 2—Black inventors
Thank you for your quality work. However, I noticed that you noted that X
was a German-American, yet you did not note that X was a Black-American.
Why is that? I hope it was just a mistake. Their invention is comparable,
thus both should be noted. If this is not changed I will no longer read
your encyclopedia. Thank you for your time.
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