Kamala Harris declines debate with ‘extremist’ Ron DeSantis.

Vice President Kamala Harris‌ Rejects Invitation from Florida Governor ‌Ron⁤ DeSantis

Vice⁢ President Kamala Harris‌ on Tuesday rejected an invitation from Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R.) to discuss ‍the state’s​ new black history curriculum and said she will not be debating ⁢the topic ⁤of slavery with him.

DeSantis, who ​is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, on​ Monday invited Harris to Florida to discuss the state’s ‌black history curriculum after‌ the ​vice president criticized‍ it ‍for backing guidelines ⁣that ‌she said taught ​”revisionist ​history” about slavery in the ‍United States.

Florida’s board of ⁣education approved new guidelines⁢ in July, including one for⁣ middle ⁢school ⁤students that states “instruction⁢ includes ‌how slaves developed ⁤skills⁢ which, in ⁢some​ instances, could be applied for ‌their personal benefit.”

Harris Stands Firm on Slavery Issue

On Tuesday, Harris made a⁢ previously scheduled speech in the state, telling the audience, “Well, I’m here in Florida. I‌ will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will⁤ accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming ‍qualities of slavery.”

While Harris and other‌ Democrats have slammed the ‍curriculum‍ for including ⁢the line, another course they fiercely defended against scrutiny ⁢from ‍DeSantis featured ‌ a ⁤similar line that ⁤said slaves learned‍ skills ⁤from “specialized trades” to “provide for themselves and others.”

Harris Paints DeSantis as an “Extremist”

Harris​ was in Orlando to deliver remarks at an African Methodist Episcopal Church event, where she painted⁣ DeSantis ​as an “extremist” ⁤while not referencing him by ⁤name.

“We will not stop calling out and fighting back against extremist, so-called leaders who try to prevent our children⁤ from learning our​ true​ and full history,” Harris said.

DeSantis,⁢ who earlier‍ this year blocked an advanced⁢ placement African American studies course from being taught​ to‌ high ⁢schoolers in his⁢ state, ⁤accused‍ the Biden​ administration ⁣of disparaging Florida ⁣and misinforming Americans on the‌ subject.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose⁣ in Washington; Editing by Alistair Bell and Bill‍ Berkrot)