The Fight Over AP African American Studies

Emilia Djordjevic

In 2017, College Board began drafting AP African American Studies (APAAS) as a potential class offered alongside AP Euro, World, and U.S. History. Now, more than six years later, it has been piloted across the United States, with as many as 60 schools integrating the curriculum into the classroom. However, while the incorporation of APAAS is ongoing, not every state has welcomed its release. Currently, Governor Ron DeSantis has banned the course in Florida, arguing it is “historically inaccurate” and lacks “educational value.” In response, College Board removed topics many Republicans have previously related against, such as the Black Lives Matter Movement, Black Queer Studies and Intersectionality. Though College Board stated these changes were in no way associated with Florida’s response, news outlets such as CNN and The New York Times have confirmed the non-profit was in regular communication with Florida officials during this time. Consequently, while the debut of APAAS has allowed students to explore U.S. History through a more diverse lens, many have questioned these changes. By stripping the course of BLM and Black queer activists, it neglects students connected to these movements and identities. Therefore, with conservatives at odds with progressive states over APAAS, what does this mean for the class in the long run? 

When asked to discuss general views, many OCSA students and teachers have praised the course’s entry into schools, believing it a step forward in giving Black Americans a voice in the classroom. “It’s about time College Board acknowledged the academic importance of African American Studies,” Rachael Trask, an APWH teacher, stated, adding, “To be informed citizens is essential, especially because Black students make up a massive population, not only in the country, but worldwide.” OCSA peers agreed, affirming the class is a way for students to observe the ways in which the U.S. has progressed, and the areas in which it must improve. However, in the midst of BLM and Black Queer Studies being removed as required material, it’s crucial to recognize College Board as a business. “The demographics they’re going to be focusing their content towards are ultimately students who have the money and the means to take their courses,” Emma Wei-Ten (PM ‘23) pointed out, “They carry little to no obligation to serve the general public.” 

In fact, many speculate College Board was motivated to make these decisions due to financial reasons, as more conservative states may not have purchased the exam if they considered it “too liberal.” While the organization is considered a non-profit, it made over $1 billion in revenue during the pandemic, as per ProPublica. Moreover, Florida alone carries one of the highest rates of AP participation since 2020. “What’s ironic is that a lot of the concepts DeSantis objects to are regular features in AP Euro.” Trask noted, clarifying, “In AP Euro, we have to learn about racism and the converging of identities and change; so in my mind, it seems to connect DeSantis to some kind of resistance to include African American Studies within Florida education and beyond.” 

A Black Student Union representative, while choosing to remain anonymous, further explained the dangers behind these changes. “There have been influential queer figures you can’t ignore,” they said, “You can’t learn about the U.S. without learning about Stonewall, and you can’t learn about Stonewall without learning about Marsha B. Johnson and Storme DeLarverie and Black queer activists who were an integral part of that.” 

To combat the poor handling of the course, more than 30 organizations, including the National Black Justice Coalition, have petitioned and signed a letter asking the CEO to resign. “New leaders are required if College Board lacks courage to advocate for students and academic freedom.” the letter laid out. As to the OCSA students and teachers interviewed, their closing views varied from disappointment to optimism. “I have a lot of mixed feelings about this,” Trask expressed, saying, “As someone who grew up knowing very little about African American Studies, it would break my heart if a course like this was never taught … I don’t want it to be taken away, but I don’t know if the class currently reflects Black and queer voices it’s meant to uphold.”