International Repsonses to Black History Month

What do Brazil, Germany, Kazakhstan, Korea, Japan, Switerland, Spain and Turkey have in common? They are the countries of origin of my students. I teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult learners from around the world. As our downtown Manhattan school gears up for Black History Month, an integral part of American culture, I wondered what the international response to this American custom was. I decided to have my class write a response. I didn't initially offer them any background information. I simply asked them to reflect on why they think this month is significant, and if they've ever felt like a minority in their home country or here, in America.

The following are excerpts from my student's essays. As promised, their work will remain anonymous. Also, I have more than one student from some countries, so each response is not necessarily from one single student, but rather, a tapestry of excerpts from their responses woven together. These are the actual responses, including grammatical errors, to keep their authenticity. This class's level is "High Intermediate 2" which means they're fairly proficient in speaking and writing English. These responses aren't meant to generalize responses from any one particular country, but rather to just give a pure response to America's Black History Month as seen through in international lens.

Finally, I ask that you please remember that these are very intelligent students, but English isn't their native language. Many expressed how challenging this was for them and wished that they could have this discussion in their native languages. Anything in these excerpts that may come across as not politically correct is the result of the language barrier and not intent of expressing racist views.

And now, without further delay, I present International Responses to Black History Month.

Brazil

Unfortunately, we had black slaves brought from Africa in Brazil. We had slaves for too many years. In my town we have a holiday to celebrate the black community. My country is a mix of all different types of people. We have lots of black people in Brazil, and unfortunately the majority is poor. I think the society must do something, because black people had suffered in too much in the past (and unfortunately they are still suffering racism nowadays. I think black history month is important. I also think that this is important to people learn how to treat the other one, and don't make the same mistakes from the past.

Japan

In my country, we might have learned about slavery at school, but I cannot remember actually. Because slavery of black people was issues of a far country from my country. As a fact, we had similar issues in my country's history. We conquered Korean, Taiwan and a part of China. People of these countries had to obey Japan.

American have black history month in February. They may think black people are very important for American history, and have to keep this thought forever. That's why they have Black History Month, to consider that seriously. I think America is more brave than Japan to have this month and to discuss these important issues.

Korea

Sometimes I feel like minority here. I always feel like Eastern people are separate from Western people. I'm mad when people treat me wrong in America, but Korea has a similar experience. Filipino and southeast Asian come to Korea for to gain money, but some people discriminated them. I didn't know that there was Black history month until when I heard it from teacher today. This is a celebration. To celebrate how minority groups can contribute to a country like black people in America.

Kazakhstan

There weren't much blacks in post-soviet expanse. I have black skin. In America people celebrate black contribution to American history. I feel now that African-American history is important to me. But, I never thought about it before.

Spain

Here in America I feel different. I have other habits that people don't have. And because my accent is Spanish, people think certain stereotypes of me. It is useful, especially for kids, to understand that this situation of discrimination still happens and that all races should be equal, because that is what makes up America.

Germany

In my country I have never learned that Americans have a Black History Month. In school we only spoke about "the Indians," "Christopher Columbus" and "The Boston Tea Party." Our main issue is our own national problems. As people know my country has a dark history of treatment of other people. Speaking about the past is to prevent this from happening again. It is great for America to have this month of celebration.

Turkey

In America sometimes I feel like minority because I am Turkish. People make jokes about being a terrorist. But this has not been my overall impression. I feel comfortable in New York even though I am from Turkey. I don't know too much about the history of black people in America, because I hadn't heard anything about this in schools in my country. I can see now that in there isn't racism in New York as much as before. Maybe one day there will be none at all. This is not just an ideal. It can be reality with education and celebration months like February.

Switzerland

I know that the black people have been oppressed because of their black color. They didn't have the same rights like whites had. But still, I don't know the real reason why this did happened? Are the Africans not the "real oldest inhabitant?" Like the Aborigines in Australia?

Yes, in Switzerland we learned what racism is. And I'm also wondering what I would think about the black people if I never saw the pictures of slavery in TV? So this is why it is important to have a Black History Month. To educate. To expose people to the truth. But not to just remember bad things, but to celebrate the contribution of black people in American history.