Title: A Utah School Made Black History Month Optional. Then It Reversed Itself. - The New York Times
Headings: A Utah School Made Black History Month Optional. Then It Reversed Itself.
A Utah School Made Black History Month Optional. Then It Reversed Itself.
By Christine Hauser

Content: It was not clear whether the objections to the school’s Black History Month events had to do with activities highlighting Black history, or the way that history was being taught. Mr. Hirokawa’s announcement caught the attention of the Ogden chapter of the N.A.A.C.P ., whose director, Betty Sawyer, contacted the school on Saturday about the decision to make Black History Month curriculum optional, The A.P. reported. Munir Shivji, the executive director of the American Montessori Society, said in a statement that he was “appalled and saddened” by the school’s decision to allow parents to opt their children out of Black History Month lessons and activities. “While the decision has since been rescinded,” he said, “the fact that the choice was given sets a clear and dangerous precedent that the rich and robust history of Black Americans and other marginalized groups can be ignored.” Duna Strachan, the director of the Soaring Wings International Montessori School in Park City, Utah, wrote on the Utah Montessorians Facebook page that Montessori schools were “committed to teaching Black history and the practices of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our schools.” She said in an interview on Monday that she “wanted to point out as quickly as possible that Montessori is always about including everyone.” She said her school had been updating its Black history curriculum, which is taught every year and not just during Black History Month, especially after 2020, when “there has been so much focus on being culturally sensitive.” Representative Blake D. Moore, a Republican who represents North Ogden in Congress, said in a statement on Monday that he shared the “disappointment and sadness” that some had opted out of the curriculum but was “heartened” the school had reversed its decision. “While I have not reviewed the curriculum myself, I strongly believe we cannot learn American history without learning Black history,” he said.