America has a history of banning Black studies. We can learn from that past | Derecka Purnell

Rightwing pundits target knowledge found in critical race theory because they know it leads to action

On the first day of Black History Month this year, the College Board announced significant changes to its Advanced Placement African American studies course. The billion-dollar company made this move after widespread rightwing pushback against the inclusion of liberal, progressive and radical books by Black authors in the curriculum (they have since apologized). The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, currently leads the fascist charge on banning books and silencing ideas for students and schools. But he has fascist friends.

During the 2020-2021 school year, over 900 districts nationwide suffered an intentional campaign to restrict or ban'" anything deemed critical race theory", according to The Conflict Campaign. These districts represent 35% of all students in elementary, middle and high school. While we should organize to eliminate the elitist, profit-driven College Board from their schools, they ought to fight to introduce, protect and proliferate Black studies on campus.