Controversy Over High School Classes for Black Students
A public high school in Minnesota has drawn scrutiny for offering classes that may have only been available to black students, possibly breaching fundamental anti-racism laws in the U.S. Constitution.
South High School, part of the Minneapolis Public School System, offered two elective courses titled “HS BLACK Culture – Building Lives and Acquiring Knowledge” in the 2024-25 academic year.
These courses were reportedly centered on the “lived experiences” of black individuals in America and appeared to limit enrollment to black students. A syllabus, recently acquired by the education watchdog group Defending Education, revealed that each class listed specific targets—one for “All Black Male Students” and another for “All Black Female Students.”
It’s uncertain whether similar classes continued into the 2025-26 school year and if non-black students were actually barred from registration.
If they were indeed restricted, this could constitute a violation of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which abolished racial segregation in public schools. This decision was a significant step in dismantling the “separate but equal” doctrine which had underpinned racial discrimination post-Civil War.
The National Archives describes this decision as one that declared, “it is unconstitutional to segregate children on the basis of race in public schools.” This ruling ended the legalization of racial segregation in American schools.
These classes might also breach Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids racial discrimination in federally funded organizations.
As of Thursday, no comments had been requested from either South High School or Minneapolis Public Schools regarding the situation.
A spokesperson for the district responded to an inquiry from the Daily Mail about the syllabus without addressing whether the classes were open to non-black students, saying, “All students are welcome to request classes that interest them, provided they meet the applicable academic prerequisites.” They emphasized their commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students.
The courses are likely connected to the district’s Office of Black Student Achievement (OBSA), established in 2014 to foster a supportive environment for Black students. According to OBSA, black students represent the majority demographic in Minneapolis public schools, where they experience significant disparities.
South High is situated in Rep. Ilhan Omar’s congressional district and is close to the location of George Floyd’s death in 2020.
Critics have condemned the classes as a hypocritical approach to combating racism. Ryen Staley, Director of Advocacy and Education, expressed in an email that it is troubling for school districts to believe it’s acceptable to create classes exclusively for students based on immutable characteristics.
Staley asserted, “This behavior only breeds distrust and resentment, and it must stop wherever it occurs.”
