Text chosen for Connecticut school’s African American History course stirs controversy

A textbook has been picked for the district’s new African-American studies course — but not everyone is a fan.

“The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross,” by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald Yacovone, is being criticized by some for not starting with pre-slavery times.

“Our history doesn’t start here,” said community member JoAnn Kennedy. “This book starts here in America. We have history before that.”

Bridgeport became only the second school district in the country to require all students starting with the Class of 2022 to take a half-year course in African-American Studies, Caribbean/Latin-American Studies or Perspectives on Race to graduate.

Philadelphia has required African-American history as a graduation requirement since 2005.