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African American History Banned In Florida

- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bans teaching of 'woke' Black History

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First, the State of Florida told everyone “Don’t Say ‘Gay.'” Now, it’s telling residents not to learn African American history!

Top News Today :
In a move that’s being referred to as a heaping helping of red meat for right-wing Republicans prior to his expected announcement of a 2024 presidential bid, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is on a roll. He’s already banned Florida’s public high schools from teaching any subject related to sexual orientation or gender identity (dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill). His anti-woke rhetoric against the Black community and, in particular, a state prosecutor DeSantis branded too ‘woke’ to serve has prompted a federal judge to condemn him for violating the prosecutor’s right to free speech. Now, DeSantis is under rapid fire for banning an advanced course in African American history because he believes it “lacks educational value and historical accuracy.”

African American History

The advanced placement African American History course was developed over the last decade and designed to be a multidisciplinary study of the African American diaspora including literature, the arts, science, politics, and geography. However, the Florida Department of Education banned the advanced placement course because it says it teaches students about activism and intersectionality and encourages “ending the war on Black trans, queer, gender non-conforming, and intersex people” — a war the DeSantis administration is hell-bent on continuing.

Gov. DeSantis took issue with the fact the African American History course mentioned the Black Power Movement and the Black Panther Party of the 1960s — both of which are prominent parts of Black History. He objected to the inclusion of writings by Robin D.G. Kelley, a professor of American history at UCLA who DeSantis believes promotes critical race theory and Black communism. Then, in an updated version of the state’s concerns, the governor removed objections to the Black Panther Party and replaced them with an objection to the study of “Black Queer Studies.”

Clearly, Ron DeSantis has some deep-rooted issues against Black people and Gay people. Now, he’s facing the court of public opinion for his seemingly racist and homophobic positions.

“Florida is doing its best to tilt the scales and shut down important, much-needed discussions of race, slavery, stolen lands, and undeniable history that have led to where we are as a society today,” Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones (D), the state’s first openly gay senator, said Thursday in a statement. “Gov. DeSantis’ whitewashing of history and book bans are his latest assault on American history and our First Amendment rights. Horrifyingly, it is our vulnerable and underrepresented students who will suffer the most as a result.”

“Ron DeSantis’ flippant dismissal of an AP African American Studies course is not only a dereliction of his duty to ensure equitable education for all Floridians, but shows clear disdain for the lives and experiences that form part of our national history,” Ivory Toldson, the NAACP Director of Education, Innovation, and Research said in a statement. “Dismissing this important subject as lacking ‘educational value’ defies centuries of evidence to the contrary. African American history is American history and failure to comprehend this very simple fact is un-American in and of itself.”

On Friday, President Biden called Florida’s ban on teaching advanced placement African American history “incomprehensible.” His words follow a statement from early last year when the president criticized DeSantis for his stance against the teaching and discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation.

African American History

However, DeSantis is standing his ground.

After signing the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act into law (also known as the Stop WOKE Act), DeSantis says he is merely “taking a stand against the state-sanctioned racism that is critical race theory” while protecting Florida children from learning about gender and more.

Still, others disagree.

“Our history has long been treated as illegitimate,” said Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The New York Times’s 1619 Project. “It has always been contested.”

African American History

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PETITION, CLICK HERE.


OK WASSUP! discusses the Top News Today:
Florida bans African American History course.

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DJ

DJ is the creator and editor of OK WASSUP! He is also a Guest Writer/Blogger, Professional and Motivational Speaker, Producer, Music Consultant, and Media Contributor. New York, New York USA

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Wil

The Daily Beast: The Florida Department of Education says it banned AP African American History because it teaches students about activism, intersectionality and encourages “ending the war on Black trans, queer, gender non-conforming, and intersex people,” according to a document the department sent to The Daily Beast. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected a request from the College Board to provide the class in high school classes in the state Wednesday. The move comes in the same week the far-right Republican—who a judge just ruled violated free speech laws by firing a prosecutor for being “woke”—requested info on trans students from universities state-wide. DeSantis’ administration further made their anti-LGBTQ stance known in their explanation for prohibiting the class, simply listing “Black Queer Studies” as a violation of state law. A representative for DeSantis said the now-banned class “lacks educational value and historical accuracy” in a statement to The Daily Beast. The… Read more »

Mr.BD

This explains a lot Wil. Thank you

Truthiz1

Okay admittedly, I’m confused, and have questions, about exactly what does African American Studies have to do with “Black Queer Studies” or anything pertaining to the Trans community? I don’t get the connection!?!

But first let me start with this – I took a little time to do some researching into just HOW and WHEN CRT “a complicated and expansive academic theory developed during the 1980s” out nowhere suddenly became a Red Hot political weapon of the Republican Reich 40 year later?

Thanks to The New Yorker, I didn’t have to look far for the answer:

‘How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race Theory’
– By Benjamin Wallace-Wells, June 18, 2021

Last edited 1 year ago by Truthiz1
Truthiz1

Dem leaders (both Black and White) never seem to know how to Outplay the Republican Reich. It’s so darn frustrating to say the least…smh!

Instead Dems always end up flailing around, looking weak and lagging behind, desperately trying to defend AGAINST some bullsh*t narrative (LIE after LIE after LIE) the Repub Reich throws out for public consumption!

This CRT crap should have been quickly recognized Dem leaders as for a Reich-wing weapon AND just as quickly shot down by the Dems the minute the Republican Reich began using it!

Last edited 1 year ago by Truthiz1
Truthiz1

So back to my initial response….

I’m confused, and have questions, about exactly what does African American Studies have to do with “Black Queer Studies” or anything pertaining to the Trans community? I don’t get the connection!?!

Yes, Ron DeSantis is trash. He’s pure garbage. However, that said………

Are Dem leaders – Black leaders in particular – allowing the LGBTQ community to hijack African American Studies in Florida?

Last edited 1 year ago by Truthiz1
Mr.BD

You make a good point Truth. I think what they are trying to do is lump all the things they call bad into one so they can make it seem like it is bad for children. Do not talk about black power and do not talk about gay power. Then put it all in one and say they are getting rid of it to protect kids so people get behind it. That is my two cents about it.

Mr.BD

This is some BS. Desantis and these Repubs are doing the same thing they do over in Russia and North Korea. They are engaging in propaganda and they only want to tell the story their way. I read earlier some schools are decided they do not want to teach about slavery or anything that makes white people look bad. If you are going to teach history let it be taught right.

Mr.BD

We need a new word too. They took woke which means just pay attention and turned it into something bad. Now all they have to do is say something or somebody is acting woke and white folk go against it. They took a good thing and made it a weapon almost.

Truthiz1

That’s exactly what they did BD.

And the Dems stupidly/foolishly stood by and let them do it!

Last edited 1 year ago by Truthiz1
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