In February 1970, Kent State became the first school in America to teach Black history. Six years later, Black History month was recognized in schools across the country. 

However, in 2023, instead of more progress, states like Florida are going backward. In January the Florida Department of Education blocked AP African American Studies from being taught in high schools and colleges.

The College Board was informed by the Florida Department of Education that it would not be approved unless certain changes are made. 

Florida isn’t the only one. 

Schools across the country are either teaching portions of history or completely altering the curriculum. 

Freshman Dakota Sandoval, who is Hispanic and Native American, thinks it’s important for students to understand other cultures and their history.                                                                                            

“I think there are many cultures and traditions to be learned in life to help students better understand the reality of the people around them and who they truly are inside,” Sandoval said. 

At DHS there are no classes, besides World Literature that involve learning about cultures other than European. 

“Two years ago as department chair, I made a request for an African American U.S. history class,” social studies teacher Kendal Warkentine said. “It had been hinted at various times, but as far as we know, nothing was done with it with the college board.”

There has been increasing interest in adding the class. 

“There is a desire to teach the class. We have two teachers who said they were willing to teach the class,” Warkentine said. “We can’t get an answer, and if the (school) board tells us no, that would be one thing. But we hear silence.” 

African American history classes study the history, culture, economics and politics of North American people of African descent. 

There are many holes in history lessons regarding Black history and Native American history, whether it’s been watered down or erased completely. 

Some examples include the Tulsa massacre in 1921, when a prospering Black neighborhood – Black Wall Street – was burned down; the Trail of Tears, from 1831-1850, when 6,000 natives died due to being forced to march 1,200 miles away from their land; and Juneteenth, a holiday celebrated to show respect to the freeing of enslaved people in 1862 and Indigenous day, a day celebrated to honor Indigenous culture and history. 

“There have been some other classes we’ve requested that we also haven’t heard from. There are some classes that the board has acted on right away,” Warkentine said. “We requested two AP courses –  AP Seminar and research – and within two months, those went to the board and were approved.”

Learning about other cultures is an advantage for students because they will be comfortable and confident when interacting with other social groups, according to Drexel University.