A Missouri school board, which had previously revoked an anti-racism resolution, has now eliminated Black history classes.

This blog originally appeared at AP News.

A Missouri school board, led by conservatives, has decided to eliminate elective courses on Black history and literature, following the rescinding of an anti-discrimination policy adopted five months earlier in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.

In a 5-2 vote on Thursday night, the Francis Howell School Board decided to discontinue offering Black History and Black Literature courses, which had been part of the curriculum at the district’s three high schools since 2021. Over 100 students enrolled in these courses this semester in the predominantly white suburban area of St. Louis.

In July, the board rescinded an anti-racism resolution and directed the removal of copies from school buildings. This resolution had been implemented in August 2020 during the nationwide unrest following the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis.

The resolution committed the Francis Howell community to “strongly oppose any racism, discrimination, and unjust violence against individuals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability.”

The resolution and the available courses became a focus for five recently elected board members, who gained control since last year’s election and in April, supported by the conservative political action committee Francis Howell Families. All seven members of the board are of Caucasian descent.

The PAC’s website vehemently opposes the courses, claiming they incorporate principles of critical race theory. However, numerous experts assert that the scholarly theory, which focuses on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions, is not taught in K-12 schools.

The resolution and course offerings faced opposition from the five new board members who assumed control since their election last year, backed by the conservative political action committee Francis Howell Families. All seven board members are white. The PAC’s website strongly opposes the courses, claiming they involve principles of critical race theory, though many experts assert that the scholarly theory, centered on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions, is not taught in K-12 schools.

“You’ve certainly taught me not to underestimate how low you will go to show your disdain toward the Black and brown communities’ experiences and existence,” remarked Harry Harris, a Black father, addressing the board.

Another speaker, Tom Ferri, urged the board to prioritize more significant issues, such as addressing the high turnover among teachers.

“Tapping into a diverse talent pipeline would be an excellent strategy to mitigate attrition, but who from a diverse background would want to work in a district embroiled in culture wars?”

Board Vice President Randy Cook Jr., elected in 2022, stated that the Francis Howell courses, which he and others opposed, employed “Social Justice Standards” developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center with an inclination toward activism.

“I don’t oppose teaching Black history and Black literature, but I do object to teaching it through a social justice framework,” Cook expressed in an email on Friday. “I don’t believe it’s the public school’s responsibility to teach social justice and activism.”

In an email, district spokesperson Jennifer Jolls mentioned that new courses on Black history and literature “could be redeveloped and brought to the Board for approval in the future.”

During this semester, a total of 60 students across the three schools enrolled in the Black History course, while 42 students took Black Literature, as reported by the district.

Francis Howell is one of the largest school districts in Missouri, serving 16,647 students, with 7.7% of the student population identified as Black. The district is located on the far western edge of the St. Louis area, in St. Charles County.

The county’s substantial growth has aligned with the significant population decrease in St. Louis city. In 1960, St. Louis boasted 750,000 residents, while St. Charles County had 53,000. Presently, St. Louis is home to 293,000 residents, with a nearly equal distribution between Black and white residents. St. Charles County has experienced growth, reaching around 415,000 residents, with approximately 6% identifying as Black.

Racial tensions persist in the St. Louis area, heightened more than nine years ago when an 18-year-old named Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. The officer, Darren Wilson, faced no charges, triggering months of sometimes violent protests and serving as a catalyst for the nationwide Black Lives Matter movement.

In July, Cook defended the decision to revoke the anti-racism resolution, stating that the board “doesn’t need to be in the business of dividing the community.”

“We need to focus on educating students and steer clear of national politics,” he remarked.

The Black Literature course centers on contemporary and multi-genre literary works by Black authors, celebrating the dignity and identity of Black voices, as described by the district.

The Black History course delves into the roots of today’s world, providing a comprehensive understanding of the present through the history of Blacks. It spans from the ancient civilizations of Africa to the contemporary accomplishments and achievements of Black individuals today, according to the course description.

Since 2020, school board elections in the U.S. have evolved into highly charged political arenas, particularly in response to policies addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Political Action Committees (PACs) in numerous local districts have effectively supported candidates who pledged to combat teachings related to race and sexuality, eliminate books considered offensive, and oppose transgender-inclusive sports teams.