for The New York Times: Inside a Brooklyn School Teaching the Course That Florida Banned by José A. Alvarado Jr.

News

for The New York Times: Inside a Brooklyn School Teaching the Course That Florida Banned

josé a. alvarado jr.

Mar 23, 2023

Location: New York City

Summary

Students taking the African American studies class have learned about ancient kingdoms, 20th-century movements and modern issues.

Halfway through a yearlong high school course in African American studies, Shannah Henderson-Amare asked her students to think about college — but with a question that many had never heard posed in a classroom before: Could they name the “Divine Nine,” the popular nickname for a group of the nation’s Black fraternities and sororities?

One senior immediately responded: “The Kappas!”

“Alphas.”

“Deltas.”

“The Ques!” others shouted out in succession.

For these New York City high school students, the exercise served as the gateway into a day’s discussion about historically Black colleges and universities, or H.B.C.U.s — their history, influence and modern relevance. The lesson was part of a new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies.

Photographed for The New York Times, with words by Troy Closson

Inside a Brooklyn School Teaching the Course That Florida Banned
Students taking the African American studies class have learned about ancient kingdoms, 20th-century movements and modern issues.
Nytimes.com

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José A. Alvarado Jr.

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