Homeschool Mami's World

Superlassogirl is on an African-American history kick. We visited the African-American Festival last weekend at Mechanics Hall and enjoyed some traditional Liberian drumming, dancing and masks, listened to gospel music and jazz, and enjoyed making homemade dolls. We had such a great time that it reignited her interest in the topic.

When she was only five, she read picture book after picture book about slavery, the Underground Railroad, segregation, and African American families. Even though slavery is something that she is familiar with, each time she reads about it she is horrified anew. "How could people do that? Didn't they know it was wrong? What were they thinking?" And honestly I don't know that my attempt at answering her questions satisfies her: "People are selfish and when they convince themselves that other people are less than they are they can treat them like animals. They cared more about money and having people to work for them, than they cared about the fact that everyone is created in the image of God and is worthy of respect. I think they must have known it was wrong on some level. I don't know how they could do it. Isn't it awful?"

One of the things that upsets her most is the idea that people would choose their friends or playmates based on their color. Our own circle of family, friends, neighbors and church is full of many beautiful skin tones, and it doesn't affect our love for one another.

In our last two library visits we we have borrowed books and books on Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, slave diaries, and integrating schools. One of my favorites is a simply beautiful book illustrating the classic Gershwin song, Summertime, from Porgy & Bess. I'm a sucker for musical theater, and it's a tune I want the kids to know.

Tomorrow I'm going to show her this link on Black History Month and our learning journey will continue.

Homeschool Mami