African American Studies Success at MBHS

MBHS added several new courses this year, available for students to take. This included a new, (and nationally controversial) AP class: African American Studies.

African American studies emerged as a course due to the Black Campus movement, and targeted activism from black activists and their allies. At the time, the history curriculum excluded black history entirely, or only briefly mentioned it in the single subject of slavery. The first African American studies department was formed at San Francisco State College in 1969, after students led the longest ever student strike to get the program added. Segregation in public schools had been outlawed just 15 years prior. 

AP African American studies officially became available to all public schools in the 24-25 school year, after a few years of pilot programs at select schools. From the moment it was released, it caused immediate controversy. Critics disapproved of content that explored themes of black queerness, critical race theory, black feminism, slavery reparations, Black Lives Matter, and intersectionality. Several politicians began to speak on the matter, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis rejecting the program and speaking out against it. In the end, the College Board removed these subjects. However, several states like Florida, Arkansas, and South Carolina have still banned or heavily restricted the course. Still, supporters of the course defend it vehemently, citing that African American studies is a way for Black Americans to connect to their roots and learn their history which is often ignored or left out of mainstream history classes and textbooks.

Despite this controversy, MBHS has added the course to much success. Senior African American Studies students, Astrid Barnett-Davis and Phaedra Fernflores gave their comments on the course. Fernflores said, “It’s really cool to have the opportunity to learn about a subject that’s not taught in a lot of high schools.” Barnett-Davis said, “Yes, it’s important to offer courses that show a different perspective on how US history is commonly portrayed.” Both Barnett-Davis and Fernflores have taken multiple AP courses before in their high school career, and are experienced AP students.

The teacher of this new course, Chris Jones, also made comments on the course’s success and how the course will affect students, “I think [the course] adds to their understanding of different peoples of the world, different identities. I think to understand this rich and important history is important for all students to be able to access and enjoy. Learning this history is incredibly important, I hope that more states learn about the course’s content.”