That's exactly my point. They don't matter in the scheme of the month. Around here the month is different, it's an emphasis on what could otherwise be forgotten or washed or white washed to the wayside. This month is usually where the literature teachers crank down on Langston Hughes, The Birmingham Letter, and Malcolm X's memoir.
In my schools extra credit was given for reading his autobiography in middle school. For the lower grades this month would be their scheduled visits to the the slavery museum or African American history museum. For the upper classes 6-12 this month would be spent covering the controversial and less notable topics from The panthers and Cointel, to Fred Hamptons assassination, The planning of Rosa Parks bus sitting and the attempt made before her, or the L.A. Riots and the effect they had on every race other than white people.. Black wall street would be briefly covered for those who had yet to hear it.
Projects covering George Washington Carver, Madam C.J Walker, and the like were FAILING GRADES teachers urged students to expand their horizons as a way of nudging them into the seldom visited sections of the library to implant the idea that the curriculum was not absolute. It was not all encompassing, it failed to expound on certain topics and that there were things still to be uncovered and all the information is there should they be vigilant and seek it out.
The month was about Black Americans we did not discuss Africa or South America or The Caribbean in any detail. Their history was not a priority, critical thinking and knowledge were the only things stressed. It was designated time specifically for the overlooked portions (mostly intentional) of American history that concerned black people. I distinctly remember a teacher telling us "anybody can be a nigga, anybody can be educated, but only an informed american could be at peace"
