Kerry Washington Educates ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ Viewers on Black History

This past Monday, Kerry Washington appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live with an uplifting and informative message for viewers.

The topics explored in Washington’s chat with Kimmel were vast and pertinent. Although there was some discussion of Washington and Kimmel’s joint participation in a virtual commencement ceremony, the actress predominantly spoke about squashing racial injustices within a changing society. In her analysis of the current crisis, Washington stated, “Whether we’re dealing with the pandemic of racism or the pandemic of COVID, we are in the moment of a new normal.”

In this time of flux and change, many protestors have been calling for an equitable public platform that allows African Americans to share their experiences and narratives. Washington, a mother of three, feels that this can be done if schools reform their practices for teaching Black History.

“Kids are introduced to race at Black History Month,” Washington explained, “or in the context of ‘change-makers’ (…) and I think it’s really important that we start to introduce the idea of race with a Black History that begins before teaching kids about what Black people were told they couldn’t do.”

Citing great accomplishments of ancient and current Black civilizations, Washington went on to urge educators to teach their students of the many great things that Black people accomplished prior to slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights Movement. By doing so, Washington believes that educators can help their students “understand the beautiful complexity and elegance and richness of Black History.”

We wholeheartedly agree with Washington’s vision for the future of Black History education. We hope that her words will inspire teachers to reconsider how they approach this complex and paramount topic.