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Screengrab via DeSantis\/Twitter <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Saying that an African-American studies course “lacks educational value,” Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is defending its rejection of the curriculum, while Black religious leaders and elected officials are pledging to “fight like hell” against the decision. <\/p>\n
Black lawmakers, religious leaders and local elected officials are organizing events to speak out after the state Department of Education\u2019s Office of Articulation on Jan. 12 sent a letter advising a senior director at The College Board that the Advanced Placement African American Studies course won\u2019t be offered in Florida public schools. The College Board develops Advanced Placement courses. <\/p>\n
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said Monday the DeSantis administration\u2019s decision is the \u201cfirst of what I believe will be many attempts to whitewash history in order to suit emotionally fragile people.\u201d <\/p>\n
But during a news conference in Jacksonville, DeSantis defended the rejection, which has drawn national media coverage in recent days and criticism from the Biden administration. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe in teaching kids facts and how to think, but we don\u2019t believe they should have an agenda imposed on them. When you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes,\u201d DeSantis said. <\/p>\n
Advanced Placement, or AP, courses are college-level classes offered to high-school students. <\/p>\n
The Department of Education last week published a list of \u201cconcerns found within\u201d the course and focused on five topics: \u201cintersectionality and activism,\u201d \u201cBlack queer studies,\u201d \u201cmovements for Black lives,\u201d \u201cthe reparations movement\u201d and \u201cBlack study and Black struggle in the 21st Century.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIntersectionality is foundational to CRT (critical race theory), and ranks people based on their race, wealth, gender and sexual orientation,\u201d one of the listed concerns said. DeSantis frequently decries critical race theory, which is based on the premise that racism is embedded in American society, characterizing the theory as a vehicle for the indoctrination of students. <\/p>\n
The department said a concern about instruction related to the reparations movement is that all \u201cpoints and resources in this study advocate for reparations.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no critical perspective or balancing opinion in this lesson,\u201d the department said. <\/p>\n
The department also took issue with several authors whose works would have been required reading in the course. <\/p>\n
But the rejection has drawn widespread criticism from Democrats and Black leaders. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is incomprehensible to see \u2026 this ban, or this block, to be more specific, that DeSantis has put forward. If you think about the study of Black Americans, that is what he wants to block,\u201d Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, said during a press briefing Friday. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the NAACP said in a statement Monday that it is \u201coutraged\u201d about the education department\u2019s \u201c\u2018whitesplaining\u2019 of Black history and culture.\u201d <\/p>\n
Also, state Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, announced a news conference will be held Wednesday at the Capitol with Black leaders, including prominent civil-rights attorney Ben Crump. <\/p>\n
A coalition of Black religious and community leaders in Tallahassee gathered Monday at the city\u2019s Bethel Missionary Baptist Church to announce a Feb. 16 rally that will include national civil rights and faith leaders. <\/p>\n
\u201cBlack history matters. Black history is not inferior. And Black history does not lack educational value,\u201d the Rev. R.B. Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist, said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re organizing a campaign to have a real conversation, a positive conversation, on the quality of teaching and learning about all people\u2019s history \u2014 and not at the expense of erasing and eliminating Black studies,\u201d Holmes added. <\/p>\n
Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, who joined Holmes at a news conference, said Black leaders would prefer to open a dialogue with the governor. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome a conversation and dialogue with the governor, if he is amenable to that. If not, we will fight like hell to make sure that African American history continues to be a part of American history,\u201d Richardson, a former state House member, said. <\/p>\n
But DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin said in a statement that, \u201cAs submitted, the course is a vehicle for a political agenda and leaves large, ambiguous gaps that can be filled with additional ideological material, which we will not allow.\u201d <\/p>\n
Griffin also pointed to parts of Florida law that require teaching Black history in public schools. <\/p>\n
\u201cInstructional materials shall include the vital contributions of African Americans to build and strengthen American society and celebrate the inspirational stories of African Americans who prospered, even in the most difficult circumstances,\u201d one part of the law says.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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