After a failed attempt to ban CRT, or Critical Race Theory, from K-12 schools, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has refocused his efforts toward revising Black History studies. DeSantis wants African American studies to be more patriotic and to include the “benefits” of the American Slave trade. But even after much criticism and pushback, DeSantis is now confused why Florida’s African American studies curriculum would even mention African Americans at all.
Eighth grade social studies teacher Alice Green is perplexed by Ron DeSantis’s idea of African American Studies that doesn’t include the history of African Americans.
“Why would we leave out African Americans from African American Studies?” she said. “It’s in the class name!”
Stephanie Dash, the mother of a Miami high schooler, told reporters, “Ronald would totally piss himself if parents suggested that the American history curriculum omits white people.”
However, DeSantis’ supporter, Marigold Williams, is just as stumped as the governor as to why African Americans have to be included in African American studies.
“I really just don’t get it,” said Williams. “It’s the only way to prevent children from being distrustful of a country that is so perfect in every way and has never made any mistakes or hurt anyone ever in its entire history.”
Another one of DeSantis’s suggestions includes dropping “African” from African American studies, so that the class is titled American Studies, not to be confused with classes like “American History” and “U.S. Social Studies.”
While DeSantis is left scratching his head and googling “African American studies” several times, African American studies scholars are confident in the importance of the subject.
Dr. Anika Shawn, a professor of Africana studies, shared her comments: “It’s really important for young people to understand that African American history is American history, that’s why African American studies exists. I can’t believe in this day and age we have to explain this to an elected official.”
Experts and students alike are fiercely defending the field of study. Tracy, a 17-year-old Florida student, took an African American studies class last year and is baffled that DeSantis wants to change the curriculum.
“Ron DeSantis should to take an African American studies class before he makes decisions about African American studies classes. And that’s on what? Period.”
