Should black history be taught in schools

Hello Mags2, My burden is to show that the history of black people is clearly underrepresented in the American School curriculum. My intent is to show that the inclusion of black history into the school curriculum enhances the educational experience and promotes a better appreciation for all who partake in the objective lessons learned throughout the development of this country. You pose an argument that to teach black history in schools (I believe what you are trying to say is that it promotes reverse racism). This statement is unsustainable for the following reasons: (1) To promote racism, there must be an ideology that includes the elements of prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against someone of a different race. According to Google's Dictionary, This fact would be based on the belief that one's own race is superior (http://www.google.com...). To correct a system that underrepresents a particular facet of history does not support the superiority of a race of people. In a court of law, does not the defense deserve the same equal treatment as the prosecution. If a defendant loses a case because he did not have the same time allotted to him as the prosecution, he would be entitled to a retrial. If he seeks this retrial, does this mean that the defense is superior, or more deserving or is discriminating against the prosecution, or is he just asking for what is fair? If the answer here is fairness, the argument posed by con is unsustainable. (2) It is universally agreed that black history is underrepresented in the American school curriculum. Underrepresentation is defined as inadequate representation; to represent in numbers that are disproportionately low (http/dictionary.reference.com). Thomas Jefferson had slaves; George Washington had slaves; why were there people like Fredrick Douglas and Harriet Tubman risking their lives in defense of freedom? Why is the Dred Scott decision such an important Supreme Court case? Black people were actually not considered people but property. Is this important to know? Because of the gaps in how history is presented, Americans of all races believe that black history is only made up of the same 3 or 4 names we always hear (MLK, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson). Is this fair? All that I ask is that African American contributions be more adequately represented in the curriculum. Does this support reverse racism??? CON has stated that "there is no denying the contributions and sacrifices black people have made to the building of society". I disagree with this statement. If you keep these contributions hidden, untold and untaught, there is no significant difference between those actions and denial. CON has stated that black people have been subjected to the exact same laws as other nationalities. I object to this statement on the grounds of relevance. The argument is not about legal discrimination. The argument is about the historical treatment (or lack thereof) of blacks and their experiences in the education curriculum. Conversely, I do agree with CON on one point. Black history is subjected to the same treatment as other nationalities, they are all underrepresented.