Black History is My History Too

A white man reflects on how Black history is also his own history

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The author, a white man, argues that Black history is not just the history of Black people, but is also the history of white people. He reflects on how learning about figures like Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X has been inspiring and transformative for him, helping him to see the shared humanity across racial lines. The author emphasizes the importance of being able to empathize with and learn from the experiences of those from different backgrounds.

Why it matters

This perspective challenges the notion that Black history is only relevant to Black people, and encourages readers to see how the African American experience is interwoven with the broader American story. By embracing Black history as part of our collective past, the author argues we can build greater understanding and unity across racial divides.

The details

The author reflects on a white woman in Florida who criticized teaching Critical Race Theory, mistakenly believing it was intended to make white children feel bad about their race. The author counters that learning about the realities of slavery and racism is not about demonizing white people, but about gaining a fuller understanding of our shared history. He cites the example of how Germany has preserved concentration camp sites not to make Germans feel ashamed, but to honor the victims and inspire people to defend freedom and human dignity. Similarly, the author sees value in white people reading the autobiographies of figures like Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X, as their stories can be inspiring and transformative for people of all backgrounds.

  • The author read the Autobiography of Malcolm X in 1968.
  • The author spent a semester at Tuskegee Institute in 1968.

The players

Booker T. Washington

An African American educator and author who was born into slavery in 1856, learned to read and write, and went on to become the first leader of the Tuskegee Institute, a historically Black college.

Malcolm X

An African American human rights activist who was a prominent spokesman for the Nation of Islam. He later underwent a spiritual transformation after making a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Kenneth Stampp

A historian who wrote the book "The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Ante-Bellum South" in 1956, which the author cites as an important work for understanding the history of slavery in America.

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What they’re saying

“It is an article of faith that knowledge of the past is a key to understanding the present, and one must know what slavery meant to the Negro and how he reacted to it before one can comprehend his more recent tribulations.”

— Kenneth Stampp, Historian (The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Ante-Bellum South)

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land. … For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.”

— Malcolm X (Letter written during pilgrimage to Mecca)

The takeaway

By embracing Black history as part of our shared American history, we can build greater empathy, understanding and unity across racial lines. Engaging with the stories and perspectives of those from different backgrounds can inspire personal growth and transformation, helping us to see our common humanity.