AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY GETS IT OWN COURSE IN VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Newport News, VA - Many HBCU graduates and students are thrilled that Governor Northam has launched a new African American history course this past Monday that’s available to 16 school divisions in the Commonwealth.

The state of Virginia has 133 school divisions. The selected division that the African American history course will be taught includes: Alleghany County,Amherst County,Arlington County,Carroll County,Charlottesville,Chesterfield County,Covington,Franklin County,Henrico County,Henry County,Loudoun County,Norfolk,Portsmouth,Prince William County,Suffolk, and Winchester.

“I dont think it's fair to only limit the course to only 16 school divisions but I do think it has to start small to see how the teacher will implement this course across the board.”

African American history is left in the shadows of U.S history in the school system. Students learn about Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks because they played a huge role in the Civil Rights movement but they don't learn the roots or their culture.

“Many people no matter the race don't know the actual hardship our ancestors went through or even the fact that the society they love so much today was majority created by African American. I think it will shine a light and start a conversation about things that were purposely tried to be kept hidden.” said Akilia Newby a senior at Norfolk State University

Growing up as in African American in the U.S knowing very little about your history and being forced to sit in a history class learning about white supremacy can cause many people to fail to know who they are because of the lack of knowledge of their history.

“I felt lost in class honestly. It wasn’t fair in my eyes learning of a culture that I am not based out of. Which is why I am proud of this announcement for this African American course being implemented in VA schools.” said Sierra Branch a graduate of Hampton University

After 401 years African American history is finally going to be taught in school throughout the whole year and not just during Black History month.

“To think that with all this country as accomplished at the hands of AA it took this long for someone to feel our story should be heard now. African American History wasn’t created in one day so it can't be taught in 28 or 29 days.” said Akilia Newby a senior at Norfolk State University