Florida Blocks Teaching of AP African American Studies Class

By: Adonis Armstrong

Florida is facing criticism for blocking the implementation of a high school (AP) Advanced Placement course on African American studies. The course was created by a group of teachers and specialists, aimed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the African American experience. However, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) rejected the course, expressing that it did not meet the state's guidelines for curriculum.

Critics of the FDOE's decision argue that the rejection of the AP African American studies course is a form of censorship and an attempt to hush the voices and viewpoints of African Americans. They too point out that the course had been approved by the College Board, the organization that supervises AP courses, and had received positive feedback from teachers and students who had taken the course.

Advocates for the course have called on the FDOE to reexamine its decision and to implement the course in Florida's high schools. They argue that the course would give students an important viewpoint on American history and society, and would offer assistance to combat the systemic prejudice and segregation that African Americans proceed to face.

The discussion over the AP African American studies course highlights the progressing debate over the representation and inclusion of marginalized groups in the American education system. It too raises vital questions about the role of the state in deciding what is instructed in schools and who has the control to shape the narrative of American history.

In conclusion, the block of a high school AP African American studies course in Florida is a profoundly controversial issue, with critics arguing that it is a form of censorship and an attempt to quiet the voices and viewpoints of African Americans. The debate over the inclusion of marginalized groups in the American education system proceeds, and it is significant that we as a society work to guarantee that all students have access to a diverse and comprehensive curriculum that reflects the complexity and abundance of our country's history and culture.

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Wes Moore Makes History as First Black Governor of Maryland

Wes Moore | Governor of Maryland

Eric Lee | The Washington Post via Getty Images

“It’s impossible not to think about our past and our path. We’re blocks away from the Annapolis docks, where so many enslaved people arrived in this country against their will”

— Wes Moore

By: Adonis Armstrong

Wes Moore makes history as the first Black governor of Maryland as he was sworn in on January 18, at the state’s capitol building in Annapolis, which is the nation’s oldest state Capitol building and steps away from a dock that was one of the largest slave ports in America. Moore who is an Army vet who served in Afghanistan, author, and former CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation.

“This might be his first day as an elected official, but Wes Moore has been a public servant his entire adult life”

— Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey introduced the 44 year old Democrat. Moore was sworn in using two Bibles, one of which belonged to Frederick Douglass. In his inaugural speech, he mentioned that Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the nation, but also described it as “asset-rich and strategy poor.”

“It is time for our policies to be as bold as our aspirations and to confront the fact that we have been offered false choices. We do not have to choose between a competitive economy and an equitable one.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore

Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images

Wes, who has never been in a public office before Wednesday, won by a landslide in November. Moore won the Democratic primary in July before winning the general election by more than 30 percent against Republican Dan Cox.

Moore wasn’t the only one who made history in Maryland yesterday. Aruna Miller who will serve under Moore as his lieutenant governor, is first Black woman to hold the position. Earlier this month Anthony G. Brown became the first Black attorney general in Maryland.

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Hakeem Jeffries Makes History as the First Black Lawmaker to Lead a Party In Congress

Hakeem Jeffries

“There’s nothing more unifying than being in the minority and having a clear-eyed objective and goal of getting back into the majority”

— Hakeem Jeffries

By: Adonis Armstrong

Meet the Brooklyn native and the first Black Lawmaker to lead a party in Congress, Hakeem Jeffries. He is 52 years old which also makes him the first leader of the House of Representatives to be born after the end of World War II. He graduated in 1992 from Binghamton University with a Bachelors Degree in Arts with honors and also received a Masters of Public Policy from Georgetown University in 1994 He then attended New York University School of Law, where he received a Juris Degree in 1997, while being a member of the New York University Law Review.

After being chosen to the House of Representatives in 2012, Jeffries’ had a quick rise to top as more seniors gave up holding out for Pelosi and leaving for new occupations. To get there, he hand to face a former Black Panther then serving as a city councilman in the primary which he won easily.

Jeffries sponsored bills centered on criminal justice reform, drug policy, affordable medication access. He announced he has three major operating principles, “empowering every member, prioritizing security, and reclaiming the majority.”

Mr Jeffries has a passion for Hip Hop as he stated in a interview in 2021. “A substantial part of my upbringing related to my coming of age in the midst of the golden era of hip-hop music,” Jeffries stated at his yearly Hip Hop on the Hill event. Which is a different spin on Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson’s yearly catfish from the Delta.

The United States Representative is definitely down with the culture as he quotes some of Hip Hop's legends in his speeches at the House. This is just another stepping stone for what is more to come from people of color in positions of power.

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Meet Jaylen Smith: The Youngest Black Mayor in U.S. History

Jaylen Smith, Elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas

By: Adonis Armstrong

Meet Jaylen Smith, the youngest Black mayor elect in U.S. history. This will too make him one of the most youthful mayors of any race within the U.S. Smith who is 18, and a fresh high school graduate, defeated his opponent, Nemi Matthews Sr., in a runoff race to rise as the mayor of Earle, Arkansas. Smith accumulated 235 votes, compared to Matthews’ 185, according to race results.

“Citizens of Earle, Arkansas, it’s official!! I am your newly elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas… It’s Time to Build a Better Chapter of Earle, Arkansas. I would like to thank all my supporters for stepping up getting people to the polls. I am truly grateful for you all.” - Jaylen Smith

To get ready for the election, Smith counseled with a few former leaders in Arkansas to gain knowledge and a better understanding of the task at hand. He will be sworn in during this week of January, and he said his extreme objective is “to show the people of Earle results.

“I didn’t run to make a name for myself. I ran because i wanted to help my community and move my community in the direction that it needed to be moved in.” Smith told CNN.

Smith’s mayoral priorities include: making strides open security and transportation, crisis readiness, beautifying the city, and tending to the nourishment leave in Earle.

This is a major accomplishment by Smith, who could start a new trend of younger voices in leadership roles. I hope more continue to follow in his footsteps to run in more governor and mayor roles.

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