By Roger Caldwell
As Black Floridians and Blacks around the country prepare for Black History month in February, racism has shown its ugly head again. The Florida Department of Education has banned an African American Studies class in high school, because it teaches students about activism, encourages reparations, and lacks educational value, and historical accuracy.
In 2022, Gov. DeSantis banned the teaching of Critical Race Theory even though the governor could not prove or show it is being taught in public schools in the state. The Florida Legislature passed the STOP W.O.K.E. act in 2022, and now classes about slavery, racism, civil rights, are not being taught in many classes in Florida.
DeSantis described the legislation as a tool for business, employees and children and families to fight back against woke indoctrination. “We won’t allow Florida tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other,” says Gov. DeSantis.
The Stop W.O.K.E. Act stands for “wrongs to our kids and employees.” With this law, the Governor and the legislature have flipped the script and are using reverse discrimination for White people, who are 31% of the population in the state. When you combine people of color in the state the numbers are 67%, and it is important to tell the truth about Florida and American history.
It makes no sense to limit talks on race, gender, and discrimination in schools and workplace. Black History Month is not just an acknowledgement of the past, but a commitment to the future. Black History is America’s history, and for our governor to ban African American Studies class is wrong, and it hurts all Floridians.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, and since his administration every American president has recognized the month with events. In 1986, Congress passed “The National Black History Month” into a law, and America began to observe it formally.
It appears that Governor DeSantis wants to ban and abolish any discussion of racism, slavery, LGBTQ rights, and gender issues. As the governor continues to fight the progressive and people of color with his backward thinking, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida officially launched the 2023 Black History Month student art and essay contests.
First Lady DeSantis invites students to participate in academic and creative contest throughout the month. Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest, and students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, teachers, parents, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all students’ grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.
Trying to figure out what is really the position of our governor is truly a contradiction, because racism is a sickness that most Americans refuse to admit they have.
“African Americans have a long and proud history in our great state of Florida, and Black History Month is the perfect occasion to celebrate their many achievements,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr.
In one hand the governor is banning an African American Studies Class, and in the other hand the Commissioner of Education is saying to learn about African American achievements is central to learning about Florida and America history.
February is Black History Month and Black Floridians must take the lead, and teach students and young people about the truth about slavery, civil rights, reconstruction, Jim Crow Laws, racism, lynching, and our many achievements. Many stories have been forgotten and neglected, and is an important part of the state and national narrative, and the state and governor must support Black History Month.
Black Floridians and Black Americans must remember that Black History is more than one month, it is every day. Be proud of yourself, be a leader, change your community, change your state, and change America.
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