Honoring African Heritage in American Education: Perspectives from Elsa Wiehe

Elsa Wiehe, African Studies Center Education Outreach Program Manager, authored a compelling article for the popular educational site Edutopia titled “Celebrating Africa as a Part of Black History.” In her piece, Wiehe emphasizes the importance of integrating African history into American education, challenging common omissions and distortions. She asserts, “African American history is American history—and African history,” advocating for a holistic approach that acknowledges the rich cultural contributions of Africans throughout history.

Wiehe addresses prevalent patterns of omission, silencing, and distortion in the curriculum, urging educators to adopt a people-first approach to teaching African history. She provides practical strategies and resources to help educators celebrate Black history authentically, from adopting diverse perspectives to incorporating African art and literature into lessons.

In her own words, Wiehe emphasizes the need to “turn up the volume” on Africa’s contributions across various subjects, from social studies to mathematics and sciences. She advocates for critical scrutiny of educational materials and emphasizes the importance of counterbalancing narratives of Africa as solely problem-ridden with a broader understanding of global challenges.

Through Wiehe’s insightful guidance, educators are encouraged to create affirming spaces for African American students and foster a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of African history for all. As she concludes, celebrating Africa as part of Black history is essential not only during Black History Month but year-round to honor our cultural and historical connections with the African continent.

The full article can be accessed here.