Integrating multicultural backgrounds into education is a subject I am particularly passionate about. The idea that thousands of years of history are swept under the rug to focus solely on white history is deplorable. It is no surprise to me that many school with large minority populations struggle. Students cannot maintain an interest in an education that teaches them year after year about a culture that they do not come from. There are literally hundreds of cultures around the world that have unique literature, history, etc. but these are not taught in our school system.

            Learning about people that “look like me” is a simple thought but can be incredibly powerful for students. There is an immediate buy-in for students when they are studying a culture that they have a connection to. The education system must take stock in this and push for reform in these areas. But while the slow process of educational reform is occurring, it is the responsibility of youth workers to provide students access to these cultures. Encouraging students to explore their family background or to look for literature or history specific to their family culture can truly build an interest in education.

            The idea that nothing happened in history or literature before white men came to an area is absolutely ridiculous. The argument that there was a lack of education or written records is hard to argue. Oral tradition is something that has existed for thousands of years and was considered a legitimate form of literature for people like Homer. I hope that someday the push in education will be for a full and diverse world education and this will allow students to feel invested in their education because it relates directly to their family history.