Critics slam DeSantis’ Florida curriculum on slavery.
2024 Presidential Candidates Condemn Florida’s New Teaching Standards on Slavery
A number of potential 2024 presidential candidates are speaking out against Florida’s controversial new teaching standards regarding slavery. While Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has not explicitly denounced the curriculum, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have criticized the inclusion of discussions on the “personal benefits” of slavery.
The curriculum’s official clarification states that it includes instruction on how slaves developed skills that could be applied for their personal benefit. However, this perspective has faced heavy criticism from black Republicans such as Hurd, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL).
In an interview with Chuck Todd on Meet the Press, Hurd expressed his strong opposition, stating, “Slavery is not a jobs program, and anybody that is implying that there was an upside to slavery is insane.” He further criticized DeSantis for defending the curriculum and shifting blame onto its authors instead of taking personal responsibility.
Haley echoed Hurd’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging that “no positives came out of slavery.” She urged the governor to make this clear in his statements. Ramaswamy, on the other hand, focused on the need to teach slavery as a dark period in American history without any positive connotations.
Hurd also raised concerns about DeSantis’s “hateful rhetoric” and its potential impact on his support from black and brown communities, as well as the LGBT community. He pointed to a DeSantis staffer who was fired after sharing a controversial video featuring a Nazi symbol, emphasizing that this was not an isolated incident.
DeSantis’s campaign referred to his recent comments defending the curriculum, where he emphasized the importance of fighting against false narratives and speaking the truth.
It remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold and whether DeSantis will address the concerns raised by these potential presidential candidates.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
