ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Black History Month honors the achievements and contributions throughout history. It serves as a time for reflection and education. But is February the only month educators should teach about Black history?

Professor Philip V. McHarris is new to the University of Rochester. His academic background spans from Yale to Princeton.

What You Need To Know

  • Professor Philip V. McHarris emphasizes the need to integrate Black studies into academic curricula consistently throughout the year rather than confining it to Black History Month

  • McHarris points out the significant challenges faced in K-12 education due to bans and restrictions on teaching topics related to race

  • In his classroom, Professor McHarris strives to foster diverse perspectives in education by integrating Black studies into broader conversations on social issues

"I started in the fall of 2023 and before then I was a postdoctoral research fellow," said McHarris.

McHarris stresses that Black studies should be integrated into the academic curriculum consistently, rather than confining it to just one month.

"Education models try to fit all sorts of Black history and Black experiences within Black History Month when we know that Black history is sewn in, woven into the fabric of America and the broader sort of global societies as we know it," he added.

McHarris points out the obstacles faced in K-12 education due to bans and restrictions on teaching topics related to race.

"There are attempts, but then there's a lot of spaces I think overwhelmingly where Black history and the Black experience is not taught nearly the way that it should," said McHarris.

We know about leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman. But what about Sarah Boone, who invented the ironing board in 1892, or Mary Van Brittan Brown, who invented the first home security system?

"The model of education has to be revamped in a way that accounts for the history and experience in a way that's integral rather than sort of cursory," McHarris said.

Looking ahead, McHarris highlights movements like Black Futures Month, envisioning equitable futures for Black communities through systemic change.

"My goal, ultimately as an educator, is just to share as much as I can so that students can learn a lot of what has been considered some of the most important theories, findings, historical developments within Black studies," McHarris added.