“We must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nation’s greatness.” – Yvette Clark
AP African American Studies is a relatively new course offered by the College Board, created in 2022-2023. It was piloted in 60 high schools and has since expanded to around 800 schools nationwide, including Abington Senior High School. The curriculum is more refined than when it first launched, following the mass controversy it sparked, primarily in the South. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who criticized the curriculum’s retelling of U.S. racial history, has even made the effort to ban the course from Florida’s education system, saying, “the version of it at the time was ‘inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.” This decision was a part of Florida’s Stop the WOKE Act, which has restrictions on race-related education in public schools.
What’s Good About The Class?
The class focuses on topics that APUSH and AP Government and Politics don’t touch. Some topics it focuses on include Africa before and after the arrival of Europeans, individual experiences with slavery from primary sources, a wide range of political ideologies and movements, and so much more. It teaches students how to analyze and write essays on documents such as speeches, poems, songs, or even laws. One thing to keep in mind is that 3 out of 4 units are set in the African diaspora through the 40s. That means much of what is being analyzed can be hard to read and understand. However, once you get the hang of it, it comes naturally to you. It’s also a relatively easy class, with about 80% of students passing the AP exam. The class is taught, at least at Abington, by the wonderful Mr.Macnair. If chill were a human, he would be your guy. He teaches the subject with so much pride and care for his craft. If you were to sit in on one of his lectures, you’d be able to tell that he really knows what he’s talking about.
CONCLUSION
If you’re scared of taking the class because of what many right-wing politicians are saying about it, allow me to pose one question. Shouldn’t AP European history also be removed in Florida? It focuses on the history of white people, just as AP African American history focuses on the history of Black people. Just because race isn’t in the title doesn’t mean it’s not race-related. Not only is it inconsiderate of the history and the work African Americans had to go through to get this course taught, but it is also hypocritical.
“It is hoped that as a result of the Black Studies Program… no student will graduate… without some knowledge of the problems and contributions of Black people in American society and in the world, a better sense of self, some understanding of the nature of racism, and a commitment to building a just society in America.”
— National Equity Project
Works Cited
