Teaching African American Studies Outside Public Schools Is Essential

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Education is evolving, but not always in ways that serve the best interests of all students. Recent curriculum changes and legislative decisions across the United States have sparked heated debates about the representation of African American history in public schools. As these institutions grapple with political pressures and shifting priorities, the deliberate omission of African American Studies from classrooms has become alarmingly prevalent. In this context, teaching African American Studies outside of public schools is not just an alternative but a necessity.

The Erosion of African American History in Public Education

In recent years, legislative actions in several states have targeted the inclusion of African American history, often under the guise of limiting “divisive concepts.” For instance, certain topics related to systemic racism, slavery, and the civil rights movement are being downplayed or excluded entirely from K-12 curricula. This erasure not only diminishes the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s history but also leaves students with an incomplete understanding of the past and its influence on contemporary society.

The implications of such omissions are far-reaching. When students are denied access to…