Protests Erupt After All-White School Board Ditches Black History Courses

It looks like it's up to parents to teach history.

A conservative-dominant Missouri school board voted to remove Black history electives just months after cancelling an anti-discrimination policy, the Associated Press reports.

On Dec. 21, the Francis Howell School Board voted 5-2 to stop offering Black history and Black literature courses that have been available since 2021. Throughout the predominately white suburban area, over 100 high school students took the classes.

In July 2023, the same board revoked an anti-racism resolution adopted after the 2020 killing of George Floyd and had copies removed from school buildings. The resolution pledged that the Francis Howell community would “speak firmly against any racism, discrimination, and senseless violence against people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability.”

Both courses were removed thanks to a push from five new controlling board members who felt the courses pushed critical race theory. The decision earlier this month was met with protests from students and parents who chanted “Let them learn!” outside the meeting.

“Clearly, none of you see that your actions say loud and clear to us that you don’t care about Black and brown families in our district,” Harry Harris, a Black father and former school board candidate, told the board during the meeting.

The Black literature course is described as focusing on “contemporary and multi-genre literary works of Black authors and will celebrate the dignity and identity of Black voices.” The Black History course gives students the opportunity to “gain a Black historical consciousness and will become equipped as engaged citizens working toward an equitable democracy.”

Board president Adam Bertrand claims the decision had to be made before fall registration opens in January 2024. Board member Janet Stiglich inquired why the issue wasn’t presented before a committee first.

“We have a curriculum committee for a reason. Was this brought up?” she asked. But members Randy Cook and Jane Puszkar said that didn’t matter—their minds were made up.

Black History courses have been on the chopping block of school boards nationwide. Some are standing their ground. August 2023, despite new rulings by state education officials that students enrolled in Advanced Placement African American studies courses would not receive college credit, the Little Rock School District (LRSD) in Arkansas decided to continue offering the courses for credit.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was under fire for the state’s new mandates on how teachers are required to teach Black history— including the benefits of slavery.

Developed during the 2020-2021 school year, Francis Howell’s Black History and Black Literature courses were reviewed by teachers, administrators, the curriculum advisory council and the academic strategic planning committee before being approved in July 2021.