Ron DeSantis Invites VP Kamala Harris To Discuss Florida’s New African American History Curriculum

Vice President Kamala Harris has been invited to Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the state’s new Black history curriculum. This invitation comes after Harris criticized the curriculum for implying that skills learned during forced labor benefited enslaved people.

In a letter to Harris, DeSantis stated that Florida is not afraid to engage in an open dialogue about the issues at hand. He also mentioned Harris’ last-minute trip to Florida and invited her to Tallahassee to talk about the African American History standards.

Ron DeSantis letter

Harris has yet to respond. She will speak at the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s 20th Women’s Missionary Society Quadrennial Convention in Orlando.

DeSantis’ letter follows Harris’ accusation that Florida officials want to replace history with lies. The state Board of Education recently unveiled its new approach to Black history, which has been criticized for allegedly being propaganda.

DeSantis stopped an advanced placement African American studies course from being taught in Florida high schools earlier this year. He accused the Biden administration of disparaging his state and misleading Americans about its standards.

While Florida’s standards were defended by DeSantis, the majority of Black Republicans in Congress, including Reps. John James and Byron Donalds criticized them. They claim that there was no net benefit to slavery and have asked the State Education Department to change the standards.

DeSantis has made himself available to meet with Harris beginning on Wednesday and has invited William Allen, a member of Florida’s African American History Standards Workgroup, to participate in the conversation.

The governor maintains that the new standards are rigorous and comprehensive and that enslaved people were able to parlay their skills into later-life accomplishments. He hopes that meeting with Harris will help to clear the air and alleviate any concerns.

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