How Important Is Civil Rights History?

The Southern Poverty Law Center is appalled by the results of a new study finding that states are not teaching the history of the civil rights era. The SPLC, which commissioned the study of state curricula, concludes that students in at least 35 states are missing out on important facts about our history. And even in states that include units on civil rights, "their civil rights education boils down to two people and four words: Rosa Parks, Dr. King and 'I have a dream.'"

By having weak or non-existent standards for history, particularly for the civil rights movement, they are saying loud and clear that it isn't something students need learn."

"An educated populace must be taught basics about American history," said Julian Bond in his preface to the report. "One of these basics is the civil rights movement, a nonviolent revolution as important as the first American Revolution. It is a history that continues to shape the America we all live in today."

The entire report can be found here: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/publications/teaching-the-movement