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Black History in Toronto Schools | Remember Fresh Prince of Bel Air?
Black history in Canadian high schools has become a hot topic. The Toronto District School Board has made the plans to pilot alternative schools whose curriculum is focused on black history. "Those who support the idea say an alternative school could help reduce a disproportionately high dropout rate among black students in Toronto. Those opposed say it would create yet another cultural divide." (Read the complete article on CBC.ca)
In the same week the TDSB released its recommendation, an old episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air so happened to be on the television. Fresh Prince was a break-through in mainstream TV for youth, simply because it portrayed black Americans as everyday (and somewhat privileged) people. In this episode, The Ethnic Tip, Will (played by Will Smith) complains of being disengaged in school, explaining his low history grades. He proposes a black history class be instituted at Bel-Air Academy, and gets a surprise when Aunt Viv arrives to teach it (more). Originally broadcast in 1991, it's poignantly relevant for today.
It was funny! But it brought to light an important issue: that our high schools are not teaching the most diverse generation of Canadian youth history that is personally relevant. Or in the very least, acknowledges their communities' histories as part of the bigger picture. Underneath the laughter is the reality that so little has changed in seventeen years.
Let us know what you think?
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Posted by AldenFebruary 19, 2008 at 12:30 AM
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