Harford schools wrong to reject AP African American studies

I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent decision by the Harford County Board of Education to eliminate AP African American Studies from the Harford County Public Schools curriculum (“Harford school board denies African American studies course due to content concerns,” June 25). The decision — based on the board’s belief that the advanced placement class is political and divisive — is misguided and a big step backward for its educational system. The course is an elective and so only those students who are interested would register for it and take it. Why is it even considered political? It wasn’t political in the past. It is the opinion of some of the board members who have previously shown a bias toward anything that they consider to be divisive.

I believe AP African American Studies provides students a comprehensive understanding of American history and society. It offers valuable insights into African American contributions, struggles and achievements that are often overlooked or underrepresented in traditional U.S. history classes.

By eliminating the course, school board members who voted against it are denying students the opportunity to learn about an important aspect of our nation’s history. They are also perpetuating a harmful narrative that dismisses the significance of the African American experiences and perspectives by eliminating the chance for any student who wishes to take this course and earn college credit. It is not a required course.

Education should strive to be inclusive and reflective of our diverse society. AP African American Studies provides students with critical thinking skills and empathy, fostering a deeper understanding of social justice issues and promoting meaningful dialogue among the students.

I feel all community members must advocate for an educational system that embraces diversity and encourages students to engage with different viewpoints and experiences. I would hope that the board would reconsider its decision and reinstate AP African American Studies as a vital part of the advanced placement curriculum.

“The highest result of education is tolerance,” Helen Keller once observed. We need more compassion and understanding from some of the members of the Harford County Board of Education who seem to have let their own political biases take away the freedom of the children to learn.

— Rita Faye Scharmann, Bel Air

Alsobrooks is the authentic pro-choice Senate candidate

Thank you for covering the campaign event featuring Vice President Kamala Harris observing the 2-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade (“In Maryland speech 2 years after Roe was overturned, Kamala Harris paints Donald Trump as criminal on abortion access,” June 24). I was proud to be there and can verify the crowd was fired up about restoring abortion rights by reelecting President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris — and sending Democrat Angela Alsobrooks to the U.S. Senate.

I found it insulting that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Larry Hogan’s spokesperson told The Baltimore Sun that Hogan would work to reinstate Roe.

Hogan not only vetoed legislation in 2022 to expand abortion access in Maryland, he also withheld millions in funding to train abortion providers just days after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe was leaked. And all throughout the Republican primary, Hogan refused to say whether he supported Roe. He even called the upcoming ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the Maryland state Constitution “unnecessary” and said abortion is “an emotional issue for women.” And now we are supposed to believe that Hogan will protect abortion rights if elected?

The reality is that Larry Hogan would very likely turn control of the Senate over to Republicans who have been chipping away at reproductive rights for decades. Hogan has shown us time and time again that when push comes to shove, he won’t defend abortion rights and won’t stand up for women!

Meanwhile, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is a champion for reproductive freedom. She’s promised to sign onto legislation restoring federal protections for abortion access on day one and says she’ll vote against any judicial nominee who does not support abortion rights. Hogan has refused to take either stance.

I hope Marylanders will join me in supporting the real pro-choice candidate running for U.S. Senate, Angela Alsobrooks.

— Diana Emerson, Baltimore