Just before the start of the 2023 school year, the Florida Board of Education sparked controversy when a new set of standards was issued for the instruction on African American history in middle school classrooms.
“How Slaves Developed Skills”
The new standards require middle school curriculum to include “How slaves developed skills” which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
Many critics have said this statement is an attempt to make light of slavery and that it masks the true horrors slaves went through.
Those who are against the new standards in Florida say enslaved people who were raped, tortured, and killed did not benefit from slavery.
Skills and jobs were forced upon the slaves; it wasn’t optional or something fun they chose to learn.
The New Standards Imply Slaves Benefited From Captivity and Slavery
One person on TikTok said “framing learned skills as some kind of a perk to being enslaved only downplays the horrific nature of slavery and we should be wary of people who want to do that.”
The new standards drew much criticism, implying that slaves could have somehow benefited from captivity and slavery.
Vice President Kamala Harris was appalled when she read the new Florida curriculum standards. She took a last-minute trip to Jacksonville, Florida to express her objections in person.
In her speech, Harris said, “They want to replace history with lies, ” referring to the leaders who approved the new standards for how Black history will be taught in Florida public schools.
Gaslighting and Pushing Propaganda
She also accused them of gaslighting and pushing propaganda on the children.
Harris urged Americans to face history rather than forget it. “Our history as a nation is born out of tragedy and triumph. That’s who we are. Part of that is what gives us our grit,” she said in her closing statements.
Even the Florida Education Association, the state’s most prominent teacher’s union, called the new standards “A step backward” and said students “Deserve the full truth of American history…”
The state has required schools to teach African-American history since 1994, and the teacher’s union sees this new agenda as a disservice to the students.
Children Will Never Be Equipped for the Future if They Don’t Learn the Truth About African-American History
Students will only be expected to identify famous historical African Americans per the new standards. They won’t be required to learn about their histories or why these people are important.
One woman on TikTok disagreed with this particular section of the new standards.
She says learning about who makes up our history is the “true privilege” of learning. She doesn’t think what students learn in school should be impeded by whatever political bias is happening in the world.
Children will never be equipped for the future if they don’t learn the truth about African-American history.
“Boycott Florida!”
The comments on TikTok call for a total boycott of Florida, suggesting people not travel there. People feel these new standards are disrespectful and diminishing to African American history and should not be supported.
In May, the NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for Florida, stating, “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”
The NAACP said their travel advisory directly responded to Governor Ron DeSantis’ attempts to erase Black history and restrict diversity and inclusion programs in Florida schools.
DeSantis said the new curriculum standards are being misinterpreted and accused Kamala Harris of lying about the state’s standards.
“Enslaved People Received the Skills in Spite of Slavery, Not Because of It”
According to DeSantis, the students in Florida will be taught under the provision that “enslaved people received the skills in spite of slavery, not because of it.”
Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have been at the center of many political controversies in recent months and years.
The state has passed many controversial laws related to immigration, the LGBTQ+ community, gun carrying, and abortion.
The post Florida’s Disturbing Twist on Slavery Education: VP Harris Slams ‘Whitewashed’ Curriculum first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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Source: Rolling Stone