Reaffirming 1990 Resolution on Education Curriculum Inclusion

WHEREAS, approximately 30% of K-12 students are minorities with the numbers increasing rapidly; and

WHEREAS, most classroom texts and curricular materials continue to omit and distort the contributions of the racial and ethnic minorities in our country; and

WHEREAS, many exclusionary college curricula continue to exclude the works and perspectives of non-Western cultures and African-Americans as well as the experiences and contributions of other large segments of American Society; and

WHEREAS, negative characteristics or the absence of positive references have a deleterious effect on the psyche of African-Americans as well as other ethnic and racial minorities; and

WHEREAS, the unique diversity of cultural heritages and backgrounds of this nation should be recognized as a valuable asset for the nation, one to be cherished and shared.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP reaffirms its position taken on Negro History and Negro History and Teacher Training in 1966 and 1968 respectively, and its 1984 resolutions on "Cultural Diversity in Curriculum Materials"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP direct this edict to all state legislative bodies, state education departments, state university systems and local school district superintendents.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP strongly urge state and local superintendents of education to take necessary steps to restructure the entire curriculum to make it reflective of the cultural plurality that characterizes the United States and the world; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NAACP members get involved with any committee or task force involved in the development, dissemination, and evaluation of curriculum materials.