The African American History Month
website provides a cornucopia of information and sources pertaining to African American
history. Moreover, these sources can be utilized for pedagogical and scholastic
endeavors. The legitimacy of these sources is manifested through a variety of
materials, including; exhibits & collections, images, audio, video, and
primary source documents. This site—and its sources—are further substantiated
by its impressive list of sponsors, with The Library of Congress and the U.S.
National Archives and Records Administration at the apex. This website is the culmination of these
sources—which is given their own separate links—in addition to some other
cultured and academic constituents.
The composite of various sources is
the most pivotal component of this website. However, the inescapable “about”
section is impressive in its own right. For those unfamiliar with the origins
of Black History Month, the “about” section of this website provides an
intermediate background on the development Black History Month; evolving from
Negro History Week in 1925, birthed by Carter G. Woodson and the Association
for the Study of Negro Life and History, into its modern day prominence. However,
the eloquence of this section is inevitable, being that it is an excerpt from
an essay written by Howard University Professor, and Stanford Ph.D. Daryl
Michael Scott.
The “exhibits & collections” link
sorts nearly eighty items into eleven distinct collections; art & design,
baseball, civil right, culture & folklife, government & politics,
military, music & performing arts, religion, slavery, resource guides, and
profiles. The content is merely a sample of material related to African
American history available from the Library of Congress and partner agencies.
Here, one can view digitalized primary source documents such as, The
Emancipation Proclamation. One can also gain further insight on the collections
and exhibits made accessible at the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery
of Art, National Park Service, and primarily the Library of Congress.
More digital images can also be found
under the “images” link. Needless to say, they are all photos or paintings with
some relation with African American history. This viewer can view the images in
a slideshow format. However, I would recommend ordering the images in
chronological order. This could improve the continuity and flow of the
slideshow; while simultaneously making it more comprehensive.
The most practical and valuable
feature—for academic purposes—on this website is unequivocally the link “for
teachers.” I would challenge anyone to
find another website, which provides access to a wealth of primary sources and
substantiated scholastic material about African American history. An educator,
pundit, or student can garner primary source documents or background
information on topics ranging from; Jackie Robinson to Birth of a Nation (Ku
Klux Klan). The idiosyncrasy of this website is the availability of lesson
plans in differing languages. The astounding element links teachers (or
whomever else) to another website where he or she can download a “resource
book” teaching about the United States in; Arabic, French, Spanish, and
Portuguese.
My only criticism—aside from the
aforementioned recommendation—of the website is the arrangement and navigation.
This is not applicable to the African American scholars, pundits, and those
with a keen interest in African American history. However, the website
structure would be too obtuse for a “common” civilian with a mild interest in
African American history. Upon navigating into the links, I find the narrative
(arrangement) too prolix. I presume that the majority of the websites’ audience
is astute civilians, keenly interested in African American history; and that
this issue may be exceedingly difficult to circumvent. However, the surfeit of
information, links, and sources alike can be further condensed.
The African American History Month
website will be undoubtedly valuable to educators and scholars with a
concentration in African American history. However, the material will also be
of interest to those civilians with subtle inquiries. This website not only
contextualizes Black History Month, but expounds on the topics, providing a
plethora of (primary) sources with the utilization of esteemed academic
establishments.
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