AP African American studies class at Maynard Jackson High in Atlanta

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AP African American studies class at Maynard Jackson High in Atlanta

Columnist Maureen Downey shares what Maynard Jackson High School students in Atlanta learn in a pilot program for the new AP African American Studies class.

Rashad Brown teaches Advanced Placement African American Studies at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Students participate in dialogue and debate, present projects and consider why restrictions are being put on the course in other states. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Kelsey Allen presents a portion of her class project to her Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Dylan Holley presents a portion of his class project to his Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Aaliyah Chaney pays attention in her Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. “It hurts that I’m 18 years old and only learning about this history now,” the senior said. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Herring sits in on the Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. “This was the class I wanted when I was a student at Southwest High School in Macon in 1990,” said Herring. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Chrizorah Muckle (center) participates in her Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb 17, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Kelsey Allen (front left) talks with her teacher, Rashad Brown, in their Advanced Placement African American Studies at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb 17, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

An-Nisa Yamini-Muhammad (center) participates in her Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb 17, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Malaya Roberts participates in her Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Lyfe Hall and Da'Merra Handley work together in their Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. “I have learned so much about our culture in this course and I feel they should be sharing our culture with everyone else. Everyone should be learning about it,” Handley said. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Rashad Brown teaches Advanced Placement African American Studies at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Brown wants to disrupt the portrayal of enslaved Africans as complacent and content and reveal resilient people who, despite chains, never stopped fighting for their freedom. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Kelsey Allen and Michelle Jewell work together in their Advanced Placement African American Studies class at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
“Growing up, we are all told that Lost Cause type of thing (about the Civil War),” said Allen. “Now, we are learning the nuances regarding that whole era. It’s had a great impact on how we think of ourselves and of our history and our ancestors because we have never gone this deep into African culture in any class before.” (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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Credit: Jenni Girtman

Rashad Brown teaches Advanced Placement African American Studies at Maynard Jackson High School on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Students participate in dialogue and debate, present projects and consider why restrictions are being put on the course in other states. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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