Newark Activists Gather To ‘Protest Ban On Black History’

NEWARK, NJ — A group of activists in Newark gathered for a “Protest Against The Ban On Black History” last weekend.

The rally, which was spearheaded by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP), took place Saturday, with participants meeting at the Lincoln statue at Springfield Avenue and West Market Street.

The group’s chair, former U.S. Senate candidate Lawrence Hamm, said the purpose of the protest was to “demonstrate our opposition to attempts in Florida, Virginia – and other states, municipalities and school districts across the United States – to ban and censure the study of Black history in our educational institutions and society.”

“As we observe Black History Month, we must confront the fact that today there are racist and fascist forces in our country who are trying to change the way Black history is taught, eliminate it from school curriculum, or prohibit its introduction,” Hamm said.

“Here we are in the 21st century, and legislation, executive orders, and policies are introduced and laws are passed that would criminalize the teaching of Black history,” he continued. “Books about Black historical figures and events written by Black and white authors are being banned. Teachers are being punished and threatened with jail time if they dare to use banned books or teach prohibited subject matter.”

Under the guise of prohibiting the teaching of Critical Race Theory, more than 500 bills have been introduced in state legislatures nationwide that would negatively impact the teaching of Black history, Hamm said.

“Black history courses are being revised to benefit a white supremacist narrative,” he said.

Hamm referenced the ongoing controversy surrounding a new, advanced placement (AP) African American studies course that will expand in New Jersey and other states next year.

The Florida Department of Education recently rejected the class, with Gov. Ron DeSantis calling it “indoctrination.” The College Board has fired back at DeSantis’ claims, saying that it “deeply regrets not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education’s slander, magnified by the DeSantis administration’s subsequent comments, that African American studies ‘lacks educational value.’”

Currently, the class is offered in only one New Jersey school. But starting with the 2023-2024 school year, it will roll out at 26 high schools across the state – six of which are in Newark. Learn more about the course here, and see the official framework here.

However, some activists and education advocates have bemoaned apparent changes to the coursework, including the omission of some iconic Black activists such as poet Amiri Baraka – the father of Mayor Ras Baraka.

“It is outrageous that the College Board would bow to the demands of racist right-wing forces and strip down it’s AP curriculum for African American studies,” Hamm said.

“The attempts to revise and eliminate Black history must stop and we must stand up to those like Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, who are attempting to carry them out,” Hamm said.

“American history that does not reflect the breadth, depth, and truth of the Black historical experience is mythology,” Hamm said. “Black history should be taught in all of our schools and educational institutions.”

• See Related: Newark Activists Decry Attempts To 'Stifle' Black History In Schools
• See Related: Newark Teacher Is Ready For Black History Class: 'Taking Our Stance'

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