LANSING, MI — The Michigan Senate passed legislation recently that will encourage public schools at the middle and high school levels to focus on the advanced kingdoms of Pre-colonial Africa during world history instruction, instead of the most primitive Africans who did not represent the continent.
After a long struggle, the bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) passed with a unanimous vote.
The bill was introduced last session, but received only 20 co-sponsors. After educating the lawmakers on the issue, the bill was re-introduced and received 65 co-sponsors, with a balance of Democrats and Republicans. In February the bill passed the House.
Charles M. Six, president of the Lansing area nonprofit Ending Stereotypes for America (ESFA), led the effort to educate the lawmakers and the public. He testified before the Senate Education Committee that, "any world historian will tell you that ancient and medieval Sub-Saharan Africa had many kingdoms with castles, currency, complex systems of government, bustling urban centers, writing, advanced metal working techniques and long distance trade with North Africa, the Mideast, Europe and Asia. Ancient and medieval writers, including the Old Testament, often praised those kingdoms for their prosperity, stability, and military power."
Six also explained that many of his high school classmates believed that black people were mentally and morally inferior because of what they were taught about Africa. “These were people who had never uttered a racist word just a few years earlier and still had close friends who were black. Yet, because of what they were taught in school, they believed black people were incapable of creating an advanced civilization.”
Six pointed out that there are still white hunters and gatherers, the Sami, who live in the Scandinavian countries and dwell in small huts, much like the so-called Bushman and Pygmies. However, schools don’t focus on the Sami and ignore the great European kingdoms. "There are roughly 100,000 Sami and only a combined 200,000 Bushman and Pygmies, yet for some reason that is who we focus on in Africa. To pretend that those small groups–who lived on the periphery of kingdoms–represented the continent is simply misleading and reinforces the false stereotypes that continue to hold back our nation."
Rep. Clack (D-Flint), who has a similar bill encouraging African history in elementary schools, testified before the House Education Committee on how damaging it was as a young girl to be taught that every ethnic and racial group had advanced cultures except her own.
Nofs testified that it is important for world history instruction to accurately portray ancient civilizations.
"Africa , the cradle of our entire civilization, produced vibrant cultures and complex civilizations that no one seems to know about," said Nofs. "False stereotypes are perpetuated if people think the entire continent was made up of hunters and gathers. These bills ensure that students throughout Michigan are given the true history of Africa.”
House bill 4902 encourages teachers to focus on one of the following kingdoms during world history class: Ghana , Mali , Songhay , Benin , Bornu , Nubia , Axum, Meroe , Monomotapa, or Medieval Ethiopia. The instruction could also focus on the Swahili Coast prior to 1750.
"This is the start of something great that will change our nation," predicted Six. "When Americans finally know that we are all equal and that all groups have contributed to our world, America can finally reach its true potential."
For more information on the advanced kingdoms of Africa visit: www.endingstereotypes.org
