DeSantis garnered a major victory this week in the battle against “critical race theory,” which is based on the premise that racism is embedded within American society and institutions. The controversial theory — which currently isn’t taught in Florida public schools — has become a national flashpoint for Republicans in the lead-up to the 2022 elections.
Cementing DeSantis’ stance against critical race theory, the state Board of Education approved a rule placing guidelines on the way U.S. history can be taught in Florida. The move ignited impassioned objections from many teachers and activists, with one calling the new regulations a “Republican political propaganda campaign.”
DeSantis’ political committee used Thursday’s vote as a fundraising tool, sending a “breaking news” email to supporters declaring that critical race theory “indoctrinates our children and teaches them to judge each other as ‘oppressors,’ ‘inherent racists’ and ‘victims.’”
But state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat who is a former educator, accused the governor and the Board of Education of trying to whitewash the nation’s at-times sordid history to drum up support among GOP voters.
“This is nothing but another power grab, where the Republicans are showing their hands and who they are and what America has always been: divided and racist,” Jones, who is Black, said in a phone interview Friday.
The new guidelines are indicative of a regression to a darker chapter in the country’s evolution, Jones said.
“I know this from history lessons, the years of the Jim Crow era where they wanted to alter history and to make history look as if what was reality was actually a fantasy. It wasn’t,” Jones said. “It’s true. Black folks were lynched. It is true. Whites owned slaves. It is true that … many of the policies created in the country can be and should be called out for systemic racism, from the education system all the way to the criminal justice system.”
But DeSantis on Friday touted the new rule blocking the teaching of critical race theory, calling it “the right thing to do.”
“We’re going to make sure that we provide access to education but solid education, free from some of this ideology that people are trying to stuff down everybody’s throats,” he told reporters.
HISTORY LESSONS
The rule adopted by the Board of Education, in part, says teachers "may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.”
It also says teachers facilitating discussions can’t “share their personal views or attempt to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view” that is inconsistent with state standards.
Before giving final approval, the board made additions that, in part, included references to instruction on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Also, the additions more specifically addressed that critical race theory should not be taught.
Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran supported the changes proposed by board member Tom Grady, saying they would help provide clarity to teachers.
“It’s a great, transparent way for teachers to understand exactly what this board is saying and to be able to read it and to know they are protected,” Corcoran said.
The rule has spurred statewide controversy, with Grady saying members’ “inboxes were blowing up with comments from people.”
That was evident as board members listened to the public at Thursday’s meeting. Speakers on each side cited the need to teach historical facts — but clearly disagreed on what those facts might be.
Opponents of the rule argued that it is designed to prevent teachers from giving a full picture of issues such as slavery, lynching and segregation and contended it is an attempt to censor educators.
But supporters of the bill said critical race theory needs to be blocked, with several describing it as Marxist.
“We all know it’s a Marxist tactic to divide our country by class and by race,” said Bennett Brown, a Duval County resident and board member of the Florida Family Policy Council.
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This article appears in Jun 10-16, 2021.