New Black History Standards Continue To Get Backlash In Florida

About a month after the Florida Board of Education unveiled new requirements for educating Black historical past — which embrace having lecturers clarify how enslaved folks “developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit” — folks in The Sunshine State are combating again.

RELATED: Explained: What To Know About Florida’s New Curriculum For Teaching Black History In Public Schools

Activists Say Florida’s New Standards “Will Not Be Tolerated”

According to AP News, varied lecturers, college students, and activists marched to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools headquarters to protest the brand new curriculum on Wednesday (Aug. 16).

Nearly 50 protesters made the mile-long march whereas chanting, “What do we want? Truth. When do we want it? Now. What if we don’t get it? Shut it down!” Upon arriving on the faculty board workplace, they had been greeted by a further group of protesters.

Melvin Dunn, a professor at Florida International University, organized the march, and he says that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and his “new state standards” will merely “not be tolerated.”

“These new state standards that DeSantis has come up with will not be tolerated in our schools. We will not let our children be taught that slaves benefited from their slavery. That’s a lie.”

Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson (D), who was expelled from the state’s House of Representatives for protesting in assist of gun security earlier than later being reinstated, additionally spoke in Miami.

“The true history is that Black people have always fought to make America what it ought to be, and it has always resisted what it could be. We’ve always fought for the America that we know is possible. That is not here yet.”

“I’m angry. Black America is angry. Our history is being assaulted by DeSantis.”

— Marvin Dunn, a Florida International University professor emeritus, explains why he led a protest to the college board headquarters in Miami yesterday over the state’s new Black historical past requirements pic.twitter.com/WoyRXYBFr3

— The Recount (@therecount) August 17, 2023

Despite Pushback, Arkansas Hones In On AP African American History Courses

While with regards to folks pushing again towards Florida’s new schooling requirements, we should always add that VP Kamala Harris (D) had some issues to say concerning the matter.

AP News stories Harris blasted the hassle as an try to “replace history with lies,” which she known as “propaganda.”

“They dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America. We’re not supposed to do that.”

Harris was positive to additionally throw some oblique shade by referencing the state’s “so-called leaders.” Oop!

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) additionally spoke out towards DeSantis’ new requirements, per AP News.

“What slavery was really about was separating families, about mutilating humans and even raping their wives. It was just devastating. So I would hope that every person in our country — and certainly running for president — would appreciate that.”

Scott added, “People have bad days. Sometimes they regret what they say. And we should ask them again to clarify their positions.”

Despite the pushback, Arkansas not too long ago adopted in Florida’s footsteps after not too long ago declaring that AP African American History wouldn’t be acknowledged for course credit score, the Arkansas Times stories. Nonetheless, the publication notes that faculties in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Jonesboro will proceed to supply the course.