Florida's rejection of Black history course stirs debate [View all]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated Monday the state’s rejection of a proposed nationwide advanced African American studies course, saying it pushes a political agenda — something three authors cited in the state’s criticism accused him of doing in return.

DeSantis said his administration rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies course because “we want education, not indoctrination.” It was revealed last week that the Florida Department of Education recently told the College Board it would bar the course unless changes are made.

The state then issued a chart late Friday that says the course promotes the idea that modern American society oppresses Black people, other minorities and women, includes a chapter on “Black Queer Studies” that the administration finds inappropriate, and uses articles by critics of capitalism.

The governor said the course violates legislation dubbed the Stop WOKE Act he signed last year. It bars instruction that defines people as necessarily oppressed or privileged based on their race. At least some writers the course cites believe modern U.S. society endorses white supremacy while oppressing racial minorities, gays and women.

https://apnews.com/article/ron-desantis-florida-education-6603c0aa4de0098423eb7b6c04846d0c

Governor DeSantis defends ban on African American history course

The Republican leader of the US state of Florida defended his ban on an African American studies course Monday, railing against its pushing of "social justice" topics such as "queer theory."

"We want education, not indoctrination. If you fall on the side of indoctrination, we're going to decline. If it's education, then we will do (it)," Governor Ron DeSantis, who is considered one of the favorites for his party's 2024 presidential nomination, told reporters.

"This course on Black history: what is one of the lessons about? Queer theory. Now who would say that an important part of Black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda on our kids," he added.

The class covers more than 400 years of African American history and is being rolled out as part a nationwide "advanced placement" program giving high school students the chance to take college-level subjects before graduation.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-governor-defends-ban-african-175315095.html

Florida religious leaders to Gov. DeSantis: Stop 'erasing Black studies' and let's talk


TALLAHASSEE — Days after news broke that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration decided to reject a new Advanced Placement course on African American Studies, Black religious leaders, history professors and local officials gathered in a Tallahassee church to urge the state to change direction.

“We urge my beloved governor of Florida and the Florida Department of Education to not diminish, dismantle and destroy the teaching of Black studies and do more research about the power of diversity, equality and inclusion,” said Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, where the event took place Monday morning.

Holmes said they were creating a statewide movement, one that he hoped would spark positive conversations about the value of “learning about all people’s history, and not at the expense of erasing and eliminating Black studies.”

He announced a Feb. 16 rally in Tallahassee that will be attended by national civil rights and faith leaders. He later told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida reporter that Rev. Al Sharpton, a Baptist minister and a notable civil rights activist, will be there. There will also be a rally on Wednesday afternoon in the state Capitol on the fourth floor rotunda. Called “Stop the Black Attack,” renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Black lawmakers and others are scheduled to speak.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/florida-religious-leaders-gov-desantis-200706482.html