PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While students in many elementary classrooms heard Dr. Seuss for "Read Across America Day" Wednesday, at one Philadelphia school, the subject matter was much more serious.
Second graders at Kelley Elementary in Brewerytown listened attentively as Superintendent William Hite read from the 1619 Project's "Born on the Water," a tale for children describing how people were brought to America to be enslaved.
The story, by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson, was chosen to provide an early history lesson for young students, said Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, deputy chief of the school district’s office of Curriculum and Instruction.
"You think about Black children in this country in particular, and the emptiness when you don't really know your history," Francis-Thompson told KYW Newsradio.
Related
"The grandmother in this story took the time to tell her granddaughter the truth about history — but also reconciling that with being proud to be an American. I think that's what we want for all children."
She added, "We can start as early as possible to ensure that our students understand the truth of their history — but also coupling that again with healing, wellness, joy and celebration."
After the reading, Hite told reporters that dealing with young students' reactions to their origin story is as essential as the subject matter itself.
"There are parts of this that are quite emotional as you read it, in terms of resiliency of individuals that were also my ancestors," Hite said. "I think it's extremely important for the young people to not only engage with this type of material but to talk about it and talk about their emotions."
A new research center is being developed in North Philadelphia to help in the fight against racism. Hear about it on Bridging Philly:
