Back in mid January, the College Board unveiled their new pilot AP course on African American history. Yet, after facing much backlash and criticism from conservative leaders and some scholars and professors, the College Board published revisions to the course, many which ameliorated the criticism that was widespread from the right.
The government in Florida banned the course, on the basis that such topics of race. The state legislature recently passes laws that restricted from teacher in the state from speaking about such issues so that “ students are not made to feel guilty for racist acts carried out by others.” As per the terminology of the law, “A person should not be instructed that he or she must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress for actions, in which he or she played no part.” Florida’s republican governor Ron DeSantis has been at the forefront of the criticism of the course, and claimed that it had no place in the state of Florida.
Yet, the most recent changes to the course remove lessons on Black Lives Matter, and readings from left-leaning authors such as Kimberlé Crenshaw, which talk about critical race theory. Joshua Myers from Howard University targeted liberals and their actions, stating “it shows how far liberals will go to confront the creeping fascism in this country. And that’s not very far at all”. Myers argued that the liberals are actually not doing enough to fight for the educational freedom, and are not willing to go to far lengths in order to stand up for what they believe in.
I believe that the criticism from both sides only serves to highlight the divided country that the United States is in the role of race, history, and educational freedom. We have those on the far right arguing that black history is not a crucial part of American History, while we have those on the left fighting to make sure that all students are exposed to the truth of black history. I think that what the College board is doing is great in introducing and making the topic of black history more widespread and important throughout the curriculum. I found much value and learning from the topics that we learned about with regards to black history, leaders, and movements last year in the 11th grade and feel that the same knowledge and education should not be restricted to students throughout the country.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/ap-african-american-studies-course-watered-gop-pressure-rcna68454 (includes video)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/afro-latinos-desantis-black-ap-studies-rcna69036
7 comments:
The main issue of the debate over AP African American Studies comes from the same conflict over "critical race theory" being taught in schools. DeSantis and Flordia are one of the states which have banned critical race theory saying it teaches unfactual and subjective history meant to incite violence in children. In reality, critical race theory is the study of how race has been affected by politics, culture, and the media. DeSantis views it as harmful, but when looking into what would actually be taught in a class like AP African American Studies, I doubt it would accomplish any of the violent claims DeSantis says it will. The class goes over topics like the civil rights movements, origins in Africa, and slavery. Many of these topics are already present in AP courses like AP U.S. History but will go more in-depth on the subject. It seems that "critical race theory" is a poorly used blanket statement that should be evaluated by more officials and lawmakers before making decisions on.
Students wanting to extend their knowledge of African American studies is a way for students to educate themselves of history and culture, much like how all children in schools learn from starting elementary school. Claiming that teaching it could incite violence is a very hypocritical argument because then one could claim that teaching the history of American and English history could incite violence too. In all of English and American history there has been man forms of violent history, so the claim that teaching AP African Studies could incite violence must also mean teaching uniform of American history too could incite violence. We learned in class about the 14th amendment that states , "no child living in that state may be denied equal access to schooling" in the public school system. In this case students are being deprived of access to learning the entire intended course of African American studies. This course is also no different than students taking Ap US history courses, where they learn about the history of events occurring in America, the African American studies course is purely just focussing on the history of African Americans. The whole point of a history class is to educate students on what has happened in the past, and by depriving students of their wishes to do so, DeSantis and Florida are depriving students of the history of the country they are literally living in.
I don't think that a course educating students on the history of the oppression of African Americans and their fight to gain their freedom and civil rights will incite violence. It's unsettling, but it is a crucial part of American history. Some people would say that the civil rights movement is still happening today because issues that target African Americans more than any other race still exists--just take police brutality for example. I think the course would only educate interested students to learn more about the more unsettling part of American history, and realize that the US wasn't all great and happy. I think that teaching this course will also encourage many to support the modern anti-discrimination and other civil rights movements. I believe that a country can only advance forward when more of society is aware of its history.
I agree with what all of you have been saying about the false claim that the course will "incite violence." Black history is American history, and deserves to have an equal amount of representation and respect given throughout classrooms in the US. Christien brought up the idea of Critical Race Theory and how it has been repeatedly used as a blanket term to cover any sort of black history. I believe that the course needs to have a place in our school system, and the actions taken by DeSantis and other conservative governors to prohibit the teaching of black history is unjust and needs to be addressed.
In a truthful reading of american history, the black experience is central to the the history of the United States. From the arrival of the first ship of enslaved Africans, African Americans are a fundamental part of shaping our nation. But, for too long Black students have failed to experience the opportunity of seeing themselves reflected in the American story - both as pillars and as a group this nation has tried to tear down. I think Governor DeSantis' attempt to take down this college board course is a prime example of determination to impose ignorance on future generations. So many times in media, stories, and history classes the complicated history of african americans is erased, overlooked, and ignored which is highly detrimental to students of all backgrounds, but more so black students. Every student deserves an education that best prepares them to suceed. A white-washed portrayal of history limits our generations ability to process the truth of the past and its affect on today. So, I believe Floridas attempt to sensor this course encourages institutional racism as it embeds our country with a false recount of history - one which supports the idea of white superiority and censors the black struggle. Furthermore, for the college board to succumb to the political pressure imposed by Florida is reflection of morals of the college board. Its crucial that students of today are taught a truthful and accurate history so that they can create a more equitable and equal future.
Like Jordon and Christian pointed out, plenty of AP history courses (APUSH, AP gov, etc) already cover topics such as slavery, racial discrimination, and racial biases. Why not incorporate an AP course that provides a more expansive view of the history of America?
I completely disagree with Florida's state legislature statement (“students are not made to feel guilty for racist acts carried out by others"). That's like saying students shouldn't learn about the Holocaust because they shouldn't feel guilty for the anti-semitic acts of others. In order for America to become a more equitable country, it's essential for students to be educated on both the positive and heavy topics in our country's history. Every school deserves to have some sort of ethnic studies course, and a class like AP African American Studies will make it easier for teachers to lead difficult discussions on racism in an open-minded, just manner while giving students the opportunity to become more empathetic and aware of other cultural and racial groups.
Fwiw my best reading of the situation is that the College Board decided against including some of the most subjective political content that had been proposed independently of FL's objections, but DeSantis enjoys staging political stunts and grandstanding so he blew it up into a bucket of stupid. There's a meaningful difference between teaching honest history (good) and asking students to adopt a particular historiography as the only respectable position (which has been known to happen in some classrooms...)
Post a Comment