Do you think it is important to have knowledge of African history and culture? By India Harper India Harper North Little High School 10th Tinthy Harper Indieharpo@gmail.com “You just don’t understand,” she said. “What don’t I understand?” I wanted to know. “Your heritage,” she said. Alice Walker creates an equally strong daughter and mother in her short story “Everyday Use” to present the idea that heritage, whether it is a generation old or many, many generations old, is to be valued and celebrated and passed on to each and every child. As a sophomore in high school, my history classes have shared the events of things like the fall of Rome, the European Holocaust, America’s Watergate scandal, and the highs and lows of our nation’s presidents; unfortunately, the only part of African-American history I’ve been taught is the American side of slavery, and a quick overview of the ever-important issue of our Civil Rights Movement. It was from my own curiosity and some targeted lessons each February, where I learned that Vanessa Williams was the first black Miss America 1984, that Marian Anderson, an African-American operatic contralto, …show more content…
Elist10.com shares numerous aspects of African nations, including, “Tanzania, where the Wildebeest Migration of East Africa...Their colorful tradition, which consists of rich folklore and flamboyant celebrations, could have something to do with their early embrace of Christianity” I now know that “Swati is one of the more popular tribes of South Africa….among the tribes who still believe in sorcery, traditional healing, and witchcraft” and that “Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for thirty-seven years” (abc.net.edu). Each African culture is unique. Among Africa’s people are Christians, Herbalists, and African Spiritualists; some African tribes have been around for centuries and continue to follow tribal practices and