Should African American History be a Required Course?
MrLemon27, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
In schools across the country, students often learn about major wars, the founding fathers, and the growth of the United States. Still, African American history is often treated as optional. Making African American history a required course is not just about inclusion. It is about ensuring students understand the full story of the nation and the people who built it.
“We cannot tell America’s story without the story of Black America; in every facet of the American experience lies the story of African Americans,” one historian observed.
This shows that excluding African American history from the curriculum gives students an incomplete view of the past. The struggles, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans are central to understanding the United States. Teaching this history helps students recognize the people and events that shaped the nation.
“This is just history … History, although it is dead and gone, continues to evolve. And the way that we look at history and the way that we analyze history must continue to evolve,” a teacher working with the new AP African American Studies course said.
When African American history is presented as an evolving and essential part of the curriculum, students are encouraged to think critically about the past. They learn to analyze how culture, identity, and systems of power have shaped society. These build understanding, empathy, and the ability to question injustice.
“To omit African American history from the American narrative is to provide students with a distorted picture of who we are and what we have overcome,” educational researcher Henry Louis Gates Jr. said.
This emphasizes that African American history is essential for an accurate understanding of the nation. Students gain insight into the struggles and achievements that have shaped America. Including it as a required course ensures that the curriculum is honest, complete, and meaningful.
Making African American history mandatory strengthens the study of history. It helps students understand the nation's complexity, promotes inclusivity, and ensures that all Americans see the full story. Teaching African American history is essential for preparing students to be informed, thoughtful, and responsible citizens.