In an effort to build self esteem among black students, the state Board of Education has asked school districts with predominantly black student populations to teach African-American studies.
The board also recommended that schools with large Hispanic, Asian and Native American populations teach the history and culture of those minority groups. But board members said the statement was specifically aimed at black schools in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
"Let's face it, we have particular problems in this country and this state with color," said Edna McKenzie, a professor of African-American history at Community College of Allegheny County. "I see no other way to hit it except head-on."
McKenzie said public school students are taught that blacks were slaves until Abraham Lincoln freed them with the Emancipation Proclamation.
Schools do not teach that there were many free blacks throughout American history who worked, prospered and accomplished admirable feats, McKenzie said. It is those people -- not Lincoln -- who McKenzie credits with freeing slaves.
"Throughout history, there were black people who were doing everything that was going on in white society," McKenzie said. "If kids knew about them, they would feel very, very good about themselves."
Ed Donley, a Board of Education member and former president and chairman of Air Products and Chemicals in Trexlertown, said all Pennsylvania students -- not just black students --should learn about African-American history in schools.
"I think the Caucasian sector of the Commonwealth would benefit from such studies," he said.
Royce McClanahan, former president of the Monroe County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), agreed with Donley that there is a need to teach white students about black history.
McClanahan noted the NAACP has been presenting black history programs for eight years in predominantly white Monroe County.
"Not simply to give black people role models," McClanahan said, "but for white kids and parents -- to educate the entire American population in our region."
McKenzie agreed that teaching African-American history, as a part of an overall American history course, is needed in all schools. But she said there is a sense of emergency in predominately black schools, where students often risk violence and despair.
Also, McKenzie wasn't optimistic that predominantly white schools would be willing to begin teaching African-American studies to their students. She noted that schools will also have to teach their teachers about black history -- something that could cost money.
Education officials said the loosely-written statement should be used by school districts to help set goals.
Officials said districts with large minority populations, such as Allentown, with its 30 percent Latino population, could consider teaching Latino studies. However, there is no mandate that minority studies must be taught.