Pupils must visit black history sites

I was watching the television news recently, and I saw Erik Montgomery of Historic Augusta talking to school-age children about Augusta's historic sites. He went on to talk about Channel 6 being the first television station in Augusta, and went on to show the kids St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

My point is, we have some historic sites in black neighborhoods that young schoolchildren should see - sites with tremendous histories. To name a few:

 •  The historic Spirit Creek Baptist Church, founded in 1800. This church's first secretary, Benjamin Rachel, was a white man. The significance of that: It will let those schoolchildren know that, even during slavery, there were some strong relationships in some churches.

 •  Springfield Baptist Church, downtown Augusta, is 218 years old. Morehouse College was founded at this church. That's a great message for schoolchildren, don't you think?

 •  The Lucy C. Laney Museum of Black History, honoring a lady who started a school long ago, the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute.

What a pity these kids did not get to see these sites. So I implore those who are in positions of authority to broaden your horizons; do your homework and be more aware of how to expose our young people to not just white society, but all of Richmond County's history and its legacy. Then and only then will the next generation be able to work together.

Joseph Diggs Sr., Augusta