Robert J. Patterson (American educator) explained

Robert J. Patterson
Birth Place:	Hartford, Connecticut
Occupation:	African American History Professor
Education:	Emory University (Ph.D.) Emory University (M.A.) Georgetown University (B.A.)

Robert Patterson is an American educator who currently serves as a professor of African American studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Patterson also served as the co-chair for the development committee for the creation of AP African American Studies.

Career

Patterson attended graduate school after receiving a scholarship from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Upon receiving his Ph.D., Patterson became a professor of history and African American studies at Georgetown University.^{[1] [2]}

In 2016, Patterson became the first chair of the African American Studies department at Georgetown University, holding the position until 2019.^[3]

AP African American Studies

Patterson serves as the co-chair of the committee of teachers who developed College Board's new AP African American Studies course.^{[4] [5]} Patterson, alongside other historians like Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, oversaw the development of the course curriculum.^[6] Patterson argues that the purpose of the new course is to teach what American education has neglected; to teach "Black experiences, Black knowledge and Black culture."^[7]

In 2023, after Governor Ron DeSantis blocked the course in Florida, Patterson stated that College Board does not cave to the political pressure of the governor of Florida.^[8] Patterson accused DeSantis' decision on racism, stating, "I think that part of it has to do with white supremacy and anti-Black racism."^[9]

Publications and works

• Black Cultural Production After Civil Rights, 2019
• Destructive Desires: Rhythm and Blues Culture and the Politics of Racial Equality, 2019
• The Psychic Hold of Slavery: Legacies in American Expressive Culture, 2016
• Exodus Politics: Civil Rights and Leadership in African American Literature and Culture, 2013

Notes and References

1. Web site: Opportunities Matter: A Conversation with Robert J. Patterson . YouTube . HartfordFoundation . 28 February 2023.
2. Web site: Dr. Robert J. Patterson: Opportunities Matter . hfpgscholarships.org . Foundation Scholarship Program.
3. Web site: Robert Patterson . georgetown.edu . Georgetown University . 28 February 2023.
4. Web site: Chavez . Nicole . College Board unveils official framework for new AP African American studies course . CNN . 28 February 2023.
5. Web site: How The New York Times Got It Wrong on AP African American Studies . collegeboard.org . College Board . 28 February 2023.
6. Web site: Wood . Sarah . What's in the New AP African American Studies Course? . U.S. News . 28 February 2023.
7. Web site: Hudson . LaShawn . Georgetown University professor discusses the Advance Placement African American Studies pilot program . wabe.org. 27 February 2023 .
8. Web site: Dr. Robert Patterson discusses AP African American History course on TWISF . local10.com . 5 February 2023 . 28 February 2023.
9. Web site: Edelman . Adam . Academics revising the AP African American studies course insist they won't cave to pressure from Ron DeSantis . nbcnews.com . NBC News . 28 February 2023.