#AP African American Studies: The Night Before Review 🚀

Hey, you've got this! Let's make sure you're feeling super confident for tomorrow. This guide is designed to be quick, easy to use, and packed with everything you need to ace the exam. We'll cover the key areas, hit the high-value points, and make sure you're ready to go! Let's dive in!

#1. Contemporary Black Communities: Growth & Diversification 🔗

#Population Growth Since 2000 🔗

• 30% Increase: The Black population in the U.S. has grown significantly, reaching 47 million. 📈

- **Increased Diversity:** More immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean are contributing to the rich tapestry of Black communities. - **More College Degrees:** The number of Black college graduates has more than doubled since 2000, a major step forward. 🎓

#Key Factors Driving Growth 🔗

• Higher Education Access: More opportunities for Black students to attend college.

• Immigration: Influx of Black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean.

• Multiracial Identities: Growth in the number of people identifying as Black and another race.

#Diversity Deep Dive 🔗

• "Black" as a Unifying Term: Represents shared African heritage, but includes diverse ancestries and cultures.

• African American: Descendants of enslaved people in the U.S.

• Afro-Caribbean/Afro-Latino: Immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America, emphasizing their unique backgrounds.

• Multiracial: Individuals with Black and other ancestries, challenging traditional racial categories.

Map showing the distribution of Black population across the United States.

#2. Religion in African American Communities 🔗

#Protestant vs. Non-Religious 🔗

• Two-Thirds Protestant: A majority of Black adults identify as Protestant (Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal).

• 20% Non-Religious: A significant number of Black adults do not affiliate with any religion.

• Generational Shift: Younger adults are less likely to be Protestant.

#The Black Church: More Than Just a Church 🔗

• Community Hub: A vital institution for community values, education, and social justice.

• Civil Rights Advocacy: Black religious leaders have been at the forefront of social justice movements.

• Educational Role: Many Black churches have established schools and literacy programs.

• Cultural Expression: A space for celebrating African diaspora culture.

  The Black church is a high-value topic. Understand its role in civil rights, education, and community building. This will be useful in many FRQs.

#Key Figures 🔗

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Led the Civil Rights Movement with nonviolent resistance. ✊
• Rev. William Barber II: Leads the Poor People's Campaign, addressing systemic racism and poverty.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement.

#3. Required Sources: Pew Research Center 🔗

#"The Growing Diversity of Black America" (2021) 🔗

• Population Growth: Increased from 36.2 million in 2000 to 46.8 million in 2019. - Racial/Ethnic Identity:

  • 87% identify as Black alone and non-Hispanic.
  • 8% identify as Black and another race.
  • 5% identify as Black Hispanic.

• Age: Median age is 35; 59% are Millennials or younger.

• Geographic Distribution: 56% live in the South (Texas, Florida, Georgia).

• Education: 23% have a bachelor's degree or higher (up from 15% in 2000).

• Immigration: Black immigrants make up 10% of the Black population (up from 7% in 2000).

#"Young Black Adults Less Protestant than Their Elders" (2021) 🔗

• Religious Affiliation:

  • 66% of Black adults are Protestant.
  • 6% are Catholic.
  • 21% are religiously unaffiliated.

• Church Attendance:

  • 36% attend a predominantly Black church.
  • 39% seldom or never attend religious services.

• Worship Style: Includes call-and-response, spontaneous expressions, and gospel choirs.

• Generational Differences: Younger adults are less engaged with Black churches.

#Final Exam Focus 🔗

#High-Priority Topics 🔗

• Demographic Shifts: Understand the growth and diversification of the Black population.
• Educational Attainment: Know the progress and disparities in college completion.
• Religious Diversity: Be familiar with the different religious affiliations and the role of the Black church.
• Pew Research Center Data: Use the statistics from the reports to support your arguments.

#Common Question Types 🔗

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions on key statistics, definitions, and historical figures.
• Short Answer: Be prepared to discuss the factors contributing to population growth and religious shifts.
• Free Response: Practice analyzing the role of the Black church and the impact of demographic changes.

#Last-Minute Tips 🔗

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if needed.
• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the questions.
• Use Evidence: Support your answers with specific examples and data from the sources.
• Stay Calm: Take deep breaths, you've got this! 💪

#Practice Questions 🔗

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately what percentage of Black adults in the United States identify as Protestant? (A) 25% (B) 40% (C) 66% (D) 80%

2. Which of the following best describes a significant trend in the Black population in the U.S. since 2000? (A) A decrease in the number of college degree holders (B) A decline in immigration from Africa and the Caribbean (C) An increase in the proportion of the population identifying as religiously unaffiliated (D) A decrease in the proportion of the population living in the South

3. Which of the following is NOT a role that the Black church has historically played in African American communities? (A) Providing a space for cultural expression (B) Serving as a hub for political organizing (C) Promoting educational advancement (D) Discouraging social justice advocacy

#Free Response Question

Prompt: Analyze the factors contributing to the diversification of the Black population in the United States since 2000. In your response, be sure to discuss the role of immigration, multiracial identities, and educational attainment. Additionally, explain how these changes impact the religious landscape of Black communities, using evidence from the provided sources.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear and defensible thesis statement that addresses the prompt.
• Diversification Factors (3 points):
  • Discussion of immigration patterns and their impact on Black communities.
  • Analysis of the growth of multiracial identities and their significance.
  • Explanation of the role of increased educational attainment in diversifying experiences.
• Impact on Religion (3 points):
  • Discussion of the shift from Protestant affiliation to non-religious identification.
  • Analysis of the changing role of the Black church in contemporary society.
  • Use of evidence from Pew Research Center reports to support claims.
• Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the complex relationship between demographic changes and religious practices.