Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve heard about Ron DeSantis’ unfounded attacks on democracy, Black and brown immigrants and Florida. His polices have crossed a new level of heinous.
What We Know:
- In a historic move, Florida’s state Board of Education on Wednesday approved new, separate standards for how African American history must be taught to millions of students.
- The decision comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida state Legislature have in recent years passed a host of measures restricting how topics such as race and gender and sexuality can be taught in the state, including at the college level.
- Opponents say the curriculum leaves out Florida’s role in slavery, the oppression of African Americans, places some blame on Black communities and uses outdated language.
- Supporters of the curriculum say it provides a factual representation of history and that the darkest parts of American history are addressed.
- The battle over these social studies standards is the latest in an ongoing struggle between the DeSantis administration and Florida’s African American communities and educators, who say his educational agenda targets Black, brown and LGBTQ Floridians.
The approval of new standards for teaching African American history in Florida is a significant step, but it remains to be seen how the curriculum will be implemented in the classroom. Opponents of the curriculum have raised concerns that it will whitewash history and fail to adequately address the role of race and racism in American society. Supporters of the curriculum argue that it provides a balanced and accurate representation of history and that it will help students to better understand the contributions of African Americans to the United States. Only time will tell how the new standards will be received by students, teachers, and the public.
