In the U.S., the College Board has revised its curriculum for an Advanced Placement African American studies course just weeks after Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis threatened to ban the class in Florida schools. 

Washington, February 2 (RHC)-- In the U.S., the College Board has revised its curriculum for an Advanced Placement African American studies course just weeks after Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis threatened to ban the class in Florida schools. 

The revised curriculum removes Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations and queer theory as required topics, while it adds a section on Black conservatism.  Many prominent authors and academics have also been removed from the AP curriculum, including the late James Baldwin, the author Ta-Nehisi Coates, the law professors Michelle Alexander and Kimberlé Crenshaw, professor Barbara Ransby and the late bell hooks.

UCLA Professor Robin D. G. Kelley, whose writings were also removed from the curriculum, said: “This is deeper than an AP course.  This is about eliminating any discussion that might be critical of the United States of America, which is a dangerous thing for democracy.” 

The College Board announcement came on the first day of Black History Month.  The College Board denied the changes were made in response to threats from right-wing Governor DeSantis.