Cousins! The state of Florida has been receiving major backlash this week following a recently approved 2023 social studies curriculum which will teach students how slavery was “personally beneficial” as it helped folks “develop skills”.
According to an obtained copy of the state’s academic standards, the controversial lessons will be listed under the social studies curriculum of African American studies sections. Students from sixth through eighth grade swill be able to take a deeper look at the history of slavery while also being taught the “causes, courses, and consequences of the slave trade in the colonies.”
As per CBS News, the lesson’s explanation of personal benefit” serves as an understanding for students to “examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves.” For example agricultural work, domestic service, blacksmithing and household tasks like tailoring and painting.
In response to recently approved curriculum, Vice President Kamala Harris has objected while accusing the state of gas-lighting students.
“They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us and we will not stand for it,” she said in a speech while appearing at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s national convention in Indiana on Thursday. “We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history in our duty in the context of legacy. There is so much at stake in this moment.”
“In place of facts, extremists in Florida want to erase our full history and censor our truths. We will not stand for it. I am on my way to Jacksonville to fight back,”tweeted Kamala on Friday.
Florida Governor Ron Dentais also took to social media with a tweet surrounding Vice President Harris comments. “Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida’s educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies.”
Sources state that two members who have helped established the newly issued curriculum share that they “proudly stand behind” the language of the lessons.
‘The intent of this particular benchmark clarification is to show that some slaves developed highly specialized trades from which they benefitted. This is factual and well documented,” said Dr. William Allen and Dr. Frances Presley Rice, members of the group, as they listed examples like Crispus Attucks and Booker T. Washington.
“Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage and resiliency during a difficult time in American history. Florida students deserve to learn how slaves took advantage of whatever circumstances they were in to benefit themselves and the community of African descendants.”
Cousins, what is your take on Florida’s approved curriculum?