While in elementary school and middle school, I noticed Latinos being portrayed as farm workers, and immigrants. Being an immigrant myself I started to believe that, I saw a truth in those stereotypes. I felt guilty for being here like I didn¹t belong and was trespassing in someone else¹s country. In my social studies classes I didn¹t learn anything that contradicted those stereotypes. I thought all we did was cross the border and steal jobs. Now, as I’ve grown up and used other resources to expand my knowledge on world history (mainly Latin American); I no longer believe those stereotypes. I’ve come to the conclusion that students shouldn¹t have to wait until college to learn about their history. After all teaching students about the world will benefit everyone not just minorities.

America is a very diverse place a melting pot of people, yet what is taught in schools doesn’t reflect that diversity. As a high school student during my sophomore year I was to learn about “world history” needless to say that history was Eurocentric. I more often than not learned about events that happened in Europe. I felt like I wasn¹t taught what other countries did but what Europeans did to those countries. I know each country has its own history and we can¹t go through every single one. But when we live in a diverse city like San Jose where 30% of the population is Hispanic and 26% Asian or Pacific Islander and we concentrate on “White History” students like me that are minorities are bound to feel cut off from the class.

California State Standards for sophomore world history mainly focus on “European” History, they do touch on other countries but there are very few standards set to be learned. Of the eleven standards only 10.4, 10.9, and 10.10 deal with diverse issues. In my experience world history classes cover more about imperialism (standard number 10.4) and is again showing that “Europeans” are the focus since they are the ones who imperialized countries such as Africa and Vietnam. The teaching standards should not forget the accomplishments and leaders of other countries from Latin America to Africa. If students like me grow up not learning about the heroes from their countries of nationality they are more likely to accept stereotypes because they haven’t been taught differently.

In Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James Loewen, he goes on to say that, “African American, Native American, and Latino students view history with a special dislike.” It’s no wonder that they don¹t like it because it seems as though in school text books minorities are always the “oppressed and the victims.” Granted we do live in America and should know the history of this country but when only one year is devoted to the world and not just “White Civilization” shouldn’t there be a little more emphasis on it. If we want a well-rounded education then that needs to be reflected in the material we teach.

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