Abstract
Brief Literature Review: The educational experiences that African Americans have been exposed to historically in America works to keep them subordinate to the capitalist system. This has been done by placing ideologies into educational curriculum that reflect negatively on the continent of Africa, either demeans or excludes African contributions to society, create a scientific basis for discrimination and promotes the overall inferiority of all Africans of the Diaspora. In addition, the Literature suggests that African American underachievement is functional in the American social order of hegemony which prevents any comprehensive interventions to curb educational short comings. This is made evident by the large numbers of African Americans incarcerated in the Prison Industrial Complex which has it roots in the convict lease system.
Statement of the Problem: The purpose of the study was to investigate the history of the educational experiences that African Americans have been exposed to in the United States as a correlating factor in these students underachievement in contemporary times. In addition, the lack of comprehensive recognition of African Americans and their cultural viewpoints inside in history curriculum is also seen as a contributory factor. Methodology: A Meta-Analysis of literature relating to the subject matter was completed in conjunction with a survey which was set to measure the experiences of African American middle school students. Students were asked to respond to several questions concerning their experiences in the School Environment, their Educational Values, and their Cultural Awareness.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Students of the today feel empowered by their opportunities to excel via a good education but conversely students have very little knowledge of their cultural history and the trials and tribulations their ancestors experienced during slavery. Literature suggests that these students attempt to detach themselves from the history of African Americans because of the personification and reproduction of ideologies that promote their inferiority. The author of study concluded that African Americans have to take the responsibility for furthering the cultural knowledge of these students in order to build a better self concept for the both the students and the communities in which they represent.