Today on Athens News Matters, a local high school teacher delves into the curriculum of AP African American studies—and why he thinks the state is hesitant to fund the class. Plus, the intersection of the justice system, the First Amendment, and rap music.
"It fills in the gaps." AP African-American Studies teacher talks about his class
Last week, Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods announced that the state would not fund AP African American Studies for the upcoming school year. After significant outcry, he backpedaled on that decision, allowing schools to offer AP African American Studies.
And on Wednesday, Woods was back in the news, saying that specific parts of the course may violate a recent state law prohibiting the teaching of so-called divisive concepts. But what actually gets taught in AP African American Studies, and why is it so controversial?
WUGA’s Alexia Ridley sat down with Montu Miller, a teacher of AP African American Studies at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, to discuss how he teaches the class, and his reaction to the superintendent's decisions.
A rapper's trial raises 1st Amendment concerns, and it's not the first time
In Atlanta, a lengthy and controversial criminal trial is slowly making its way through the justice system. On trial is Jeffrey Williams, a rapper and entertainer better known as Young Thug. He was indicted in May 2022 on charges that he was the kingpin of a criminal street gang - Young Slime Life.
Williams and his attorneys contend that Young Slime Life is nothing more than the name of his record label.
One thing that makes this case distinctive, aside from how long it's been moving through the system, is the evidence Fulton County prosecutors want to use young Thug's lyrics as evidence that he committed crimes. The trial and the lyrical evidence being introduced by prosecutors has sparked a discussion about racial double standards and free speech rights.
And it's not the first time that prosecutors have sought to use lyrics as evidence, primarily against Black artists.
WUGA’s Martin Matheny sat down with Dr. Andrea Dennis, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the John Byrd Martin Chair of Law at the University of Georgia School of Law. She is the co-author of the 2019 book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America.
