Afrocentric/Multicultural Education Issues, February 20, 1991

This video recording, dated February 20, 1991, consists of a panel discussion responding to a presentation by Dr. Asa G. Hilliard, III at Harvard University on February 11, 1991. The panel includes Dr. Nathan Glazer of Harvard University, Dr. Robert Hall of Northeastern University, Dr. Martha Montero-Sieburth of Harvard University, and Boston School Committee member Juanita Brooks Wade. Each panel member weighs in on the concept of infusing African-centered content into the curriculum. Dr. Glazer questions whether there really is a problem, arguing that most school curricula include the history of African Americans. Ms. Wade argues that the history of African Americans has been reduced to the study of remarkable individuals, such as Harriet Tubman, rather than placing the experience of people of African descent into a wider context. Dr. Hall points out that it cannot simply be assumed that infusing the curriculum with African-centered information will be beneficial to African American students without proper investigation. Dr. Montero-Sieburth takes exception with Hilliard’s contention that “infusion” will be enough to change the experience of African American children.