Join the conversation beyond the episode inside The Gentle Year Facebook community — a thoughtful space for parents seeking clarity, encouragement, and real dialogue.

Black history is often taught as a single storyline—centered on slavery—while countless Black contributions to early American life are left out of standard textbooks. In this episode of The Gentle Year, historian and public school teacher Ted Lamb returns to share a primary-source approach to “omitted Black history” and the lesser-known Black patriots, leaders, and thinkers who shaped the nation.

You’ll hear the stories of figures like Wentworth Cheswell (sometimes called the “Black Paul Revere”), Peter Salem (a hero of Bunker Hill), and Henry Highland Garnett, along with a wider conversation about why curriculum often narrows history into a single narrative. Ted explains why he trusts primary sources over textbooks, how standardized testing can drive what gets taught, and why integrating these stories into everyday American history matters for kids’ identity, critical thinking, and perspective.

This is a parent-facing conversation about how to teach history without propaganda—by asking better questions, reading original documents, and learning together at home.

Connect with Ted: History Moments with Ted (Facebook)
Primary source starting point: Yale Law School’s Avalon Project (documents and historical sources)

Keywords: omitted Black history, Black patriots, primary sources, American Revolution, Wentworth Cheswell, Peter Salem, Henry Highland Garnett, Black History Month, history education, teaching kids history, curriculum and standards, critical thinking, parenting and education

This episode is supported by Structured Thought, Clear Expression, a high school writing course through Turning The Tide Tutoring that equips students to think critically, write with clarity, and communicate with confidence.

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