Newark Teacher Is Ready For Black History Class: 'Taking Our Stance'

NEWARK, NJ — Alnazir Blackman stood at the head of his classroom in Newark, facing an attentive group of students – with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sitting among them. His mind was on Black history, including a plan to roll out a new advanced placement (AP) African American studies classes throughout the state.

“Now this is very powerful, because this is the first time that we actually hear the stories of formerly enslaved people, and they get to tell their own stories and have a sense of agency,” the 23-year-old educator told his students.

“Because before that, a lot of people were speaking for them,” he added.

Blackman, a social studies teacher at Science Park High School, is one of many educators cheering the governor’s recent announcement about the new class, which is in the first stage of a two-year pilot program across the nation. In all, 60 pilot schools are testing out the College Board’s newest AP course, which aims to offer college-level instruction to high school students.

Learn more about the course here, and see the official framework here.

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.

Murphy made the announcement about the new AP classes during a trip to Science Park High School last week, taking a shot at his counterpart in Florida – Ron DeSantis – along the way.

The Florida Department of Education recently rejected the class, with 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.’”

“As governors like Florida’s Ron DeSantis prioritize political culture wars ahead of academic success, New Jersey will proudly teach our kids that Black history is American history,” Murphy said.

Richard Smith, president of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, said the group is “in full support” of the Murphy administration’s plan to expand the AP course.

“We encourage all students to take advantage of the educational opportunities, and we challenge educational leaders in other states to incorporate Black history into their curricula as well,” Smith said.

It’s a viewpoint that Blackman agrees with.

“We see in other states – like Florida, right? – this course is actually being banned,” he said. “For us to push it in 26 schools, we’re kind of taking our stance.”

And when he teaches his first AP African American studies course next year, Blackman will consider it an honor to be among those leading the way.

“I am certain the ancestors would be pleased to know that we have come to a place in our journey worthy of an AP course,” he said.

• See Related: Newark Activists Decry Attempts To 'Stifle' Black History In Schools
• See Related: Gov. Murphy Is Right About AP African American Studies (Newark Op-Ed)

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