Some see a need for Black History Month

As much as I respect Erin Aubry Kaplan, we part ways on this: I love Black History Month (Opinion, Feb 8). I also take exception to the column’s headline, “Our history, your history.”

Black history is American history. Every February, I learn more of our collective history that my schools should have taught me but didn’t. I learn about the absolutely fundamental contributions that people with roots in Africa have made to every part of our society and culture, from the days of slavery through today’s headlines.

I need to know this history; we all do.

In my overwhelmingly white 1960s grade school, we avidly followed the civil rights movement as it happened, and our history lessons covered Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. We studied these extraordinary black people but not the ordinary ones whose lives and works were the backbone of this country.

In contrast, we did study the history of ordinary white people, making it seem like black people were exceptions to American history, not part of its core.

Once schools have fully integrated the history of black Americans into the history of all Americans, then we will no longer need Black History Month. It can’t happen soon enough, but it hasn’t happened yet.

KAY M. GILBERT

Santa Monica

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What gives Kaplan the right to comment on whites’ thoughts and ideals with sweeping generalizations that would instantly categorize me as a racist if I applied them to African Americans?

MICHAEL MARTINEAU

Studio City