Harris Takes Aim at DeSantis's 'Erase' Black History Policies

by Santanu


 

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Florida on Friday to criticize Republican efforts to overhaul educational standards, specifically those related to Black history. She accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of trying to "replace history with lies" and said that his policies were part of a "national agenda" to censor education.

DeSantis has been a vocal critic of critical race theory, a school of thought that examines the role of race and racism in American society. He signed a law in 2022 that limits how race can be taught in schools, and he has also banned certain books from school libraries.

Harris said that DeSantis's policies were "propaganda" and that they would "instil fear" in teachers. She also said that they were part of a broader effort to "erase" Black history.

DeSantis defended his policies, saying that they were "rooted in whatever is factual." He said that the state's new Black history standards would "show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into, into doing things later in life."

The debate over how to teach Black history is not new, but it has taken on new urgency in recent years. Some people argue that schools should focus on the positive contributions of Black Americans, while others believe that it is important to teach about the full history of racism in the United States.

The debate is likely to continue, and it is clear that Harris and DeSantis have very different views on how to teach Black history. It remains to be seen how their respective views will play out in the years to come.

In addition to the above, here are some other key points from the article:

  • Harris's visit to Florida was seen as a sign of the Biden administration's increasing focus on the issue of critical race theory.
  • DeSantis's policies have been praised by some conservatives, but they have also been criticized by historians and educators.
  • The debate over how to teach Black history is likely to continue for many years to come.
Source:
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/21/harris-desantis-florida-black-history/