NJ’s Amistad Act calls for accurate history lessons in schools. Time to fund it.

NJ Amistad Curriculum
The Amistad Act became law in New Jersey half a generation ago, which I learned today is long enough ago for young equal education activists to have never heard of it. “What’s that?” a young friend asked on Facebook when I suggested that we pressure state government to fund the Amistad Commission’s mandate to bring historically accurate curricula and books that teach the true roles African Americans and other ethnic minorities have played in the evolution of society both at home and abroad, to all K-12 classrooms. This knowledge is not currently being taught to our children but in New Jersey it ought to be, because state law calls for it.

Defeating the implementation of the Amistad Act was as easy as legislators failing to fund the development of a robust curriculum or funding the replacement of public schools’ standard Euro-centric textbooks with historically accurate versions. The few State resources that have been developed are not widely promoted.

Writing about the Amistad legislation he introduced in 1998 that became law in 2002, Assemblyman Bill Payne says,

The truthful role of African Americans (in United States history is) not taught. For instance, in the Revolutionary War, feats of the Continental Army and the minute men are depicted but the role of Peter Salem, one of thousands of blacks who fought in the War of Independence, is omitted. I was taught about the Battle of Bunker Hill but never of the black soldiers who fought there. In fact, it was Peter Salem who is credited with killing British Major Pitcarn, which was a turning point in that war. We have fought bravely in every war in which our country has been involved …

Interest in Amistad legislation has also been expressed by the education department of the national NAACP and by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators as well as other organizations …

The curriculum as generally taught in most school districts, often fosters a false sense of superiority among white students and renders African American children ignorant of their ancestors’ role and contributions to the development of this country. Thus, they are often devoid of self-esteem, self-confidence and pride which are essential for positive growth.

After the Amistad Act became law in New Jersey, several other states modeled Amistad Commissions of their own after ours, including New York State where Columbia University Professor Manning Marabel has developed the Amistad Digital Resource to support teaching more accurate history.

Resources for more historically accurate teaching

Zinn Education Project
A Mighty Girl
Humans of New York
Amistad Digital Resource
New Jersey State Amistad Curriculum
New Jersey Amistad Curriculum on-line

Law is a tool to which the adage, “Use it or lose it,” applies. We have the legal means for enforcing the accurate teaching of history to our state’s children and we should rally behind it and make sure this law is implemented at the soonest possible date.

27 Replies to “NJ’s Amistad Act calls for accurate history lessons in schools. Time to fund it.”

  1. The law was signed into legislation in 2002, yet it is still not fully implemented. How can we get full implementation of the New Jersey Law?

  2. NJ adopted the PAARC which is now tied to federal funding – because 95% of your students are required to take whatever the designated state exam is or lose federal funding!! 9 states out of the original 20 PAARC states have opted out and will be doing another test for their state!

  3. I saw nothing that would prevent a parent from signing up CJ Of’the Phoenix so I tried, and it worked. Give it a shot and let us know how it worked for you. There’s no penalty for trying almost anything.

  4. Helen, I was not thinking in addition to, but rather instead of current tests (and I was being facetious in recognition of the over-testing and teaching to the test). I am well aware of the burden of testing on teachers and students.

  5. My boy lol!!! Anyway This is awesome being a bit of a history buff I wish I was an educator actually I am of sorts!!! But I’m asking please let it be known that if the parents and general public are able to access the website that would be great thanking you in advance

  6. I was in Atlantic City yesterday doing training for the preschool staff! You are right we are suffering from initiative overload or fatigue! In regard to parents – to my knowledge you have to be an educator to access it! I can find out for sure!

  7. I’m a technology coordinator in Atlantic City, I was at Stockton for the original training and roll-out. I believe it was Ms. Bell who conducted the training/presentation? In any case, I have promoted it throughout the years, but in the deluge of CCSS and PARCC things like this are forgotten. I have monthly training themes, and I think February is the perfect month to promote this! Now I’m curious, and you may be able to answer this Helen, can parents register and use this site? There may be a few who would be interested.

  8. I am a friend and colleague of the Executive Director of the Amistad Commission – she is a good sister who works hard to promote it! Yet I do statewide training for educators in NJ and many are unfamiliar with it!

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