Sanitized History & Us: Slavery in Florida Schools

Knowledge is power. Not in the sense that intelligence connotes memorization of mathematical formulas or fast Did you know? facts. No, I believe global education equips us with the tools required to both adapt to and enjoy this crazy thing called life. The digitization of news sources and media content further strengthens this cross-cultural and adaptive awareness, reminding us of past inequities and present disparities. But this very exposure to historical (and ongoing) repression faces a politically filtered future. Just two weeks ago, the Florida Department of Education rewrote their African American Studies curriculum standards to require the teaching of slavery as "in some cases, beneficial to slaves" as they developed skills they could use for their personal gain. This dilution of the cruel wrongdoings of white America’s past is furthered by standard revisions which include how Black slaves were perpetuators of violence and the face of invaluable riots. This threat to a century of attempted Black celebration follows Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' recent 2023 removal of an AP African American History course and ban on Critical Race Theory in K–12 buildings. Floridians and Americans alike remain in fear of what this means for our growing youth population. By depriving the growing generation of historical realities, the nation risks further suppression of BIPOC voices and the potential for harmful repetition of the past.

Under Lock and Key

According to The Miami Herald, the board meeting set to discuss curriculum revisions and the legislative coagulation seemed purposefully scheduled to discourage left-wing activists from attending. The conference was held on a weekday in the back of a random resort with $28 parking, and even despite expressed opposition from those present, the board approved these modifications unanimously. The process of authorization was discriminatory within itself, in which parent, community, and Black voices were actively disregarded, despite such a curriculum affecting them the most. The cultural distance between their own experiences and those they are conferring upon is vast and differential, with no authority to form an advisory recommendation. Although this source reads that the Board in question has next to no racial diversity, another reads that there was a task force comprised of six African-Americans, one Hispanic, and five white educators. Without taking community and district opinion to heart, it is as if marginalized voices are becoming increasingly weakened by a sanitization of historical events.

The educational criteria put forth by the Florida Board of Education include specific clarifications to unit objectives and learning goals. The stark and true reality of slavery seems to remain illustrated, though arguments pertaining to the intrinsic cultural benefit of this forced labor have only exacerbated the already-present political polarization in K–12 education.

Florida Outcry

The curriculum’s reevaluated phrase pertaining to slavery’s "benefits" has naturally outraged teachers, students, legislators, ethnic studies advocates, and BIPOC communities throughout the state (and country). A Florida Teacher’s Union made up of about 150,000 educators across the State has asserted that these revisions function as "a disservice to Florida’s students and a big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994." Impacted teachers are confronted with uncertainty about what their classroom spaces will turn into and the reduced control they have in shaping culturally respectful youth. Having to endorse a platform of whitewashed standards will be difficult and prompt psychological unsafety within the academic environment. Young learners are now faced with a watered-down version of a 'melting pot' past where they will not be adequately presented with this nation’s mistakes, leaving space for the proliferation of already oppressive structures.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) embodied a member of theirs on the recommending board team for these curriculum revisions. But it is obvious they were in full opposition to these newly released guidelines.

"Today's actions by the Florida state government are an attempt to bring our country back to a 19th century America where Black life was not valued nor our rights protected."

NAACP Statement on July 19, 2023

Perpetuated Polarization

This curriculum alteration and the arguments surrounding it serve as a prosperous example of our current state of political polarization. The supporting and opposing sides have similar notions of amplifying Black truth, but the perspective they are rooted in remains vastly independent.

Curriculum advocates make an argument about how excluding this content is inequitable within itself. Some persist that the "beneficial skills" slaves developed entail "factual information" that should exist to give light to Black strength. Recounting cultural history implies experiences of debilitation and white-forced subjugation. It is the way that Black people (and other identities) have emerged from these brutal conditions through resilience, grit, and intergroup understanding. Advocates of the curriculum insist it would be a disservice to the African-American community to omit any celebration of the ways they fought against enslavement and the Black leaders that mobilized their freedom for community service efforts. Their intentions seem rooted in calling attention to demonstrated bravery.

That said, following an "anti-woke" campaign and evoked legislation put forward by Governor DeSantis in K–12 schools, these expressed notions could very well be a ploy and a further attempt to suppress the Black American reality.

In fact, many right-wing networks call attention to the leftist selectivity of what the new educational requirements warrant. The modification, including "skill benefit," has been isolated and plastered among ethnic advocacy groups, which led to Vice President Kamala Harris' condemning of the FBE’s alterations and the extensive threats these guidelines pose to intersectional communities nationwide. As displayed in the curriculum requirements, the social studies content does educate upon chattel lifestyle, property diminishing, abuse patterns, Black people's role in abolition, and strong Black leaders. This is not the foundation of the updated curriculum. But even a portion of white-serving content poses a threat to national and cultural advancement.

Despite attempts to eliminate white guilt and intergenerational resentment by highlighting a Black "benefit," there is absolutely no ‘silver lining’ to slavery. Although it is important to acknowledge the immense courage necessary to emerge from a state of absolute dehumanization, the Black community should never have needed to in the first place.

This back-and-forth only furthers a state of national discomfort and fear about what a prospective education system entails. It is exceedingly difficult to control what and how teachers interpret a curriculum. These additions only encourage cultural censorship— truths that are vital to progressing forward as a nation. Florida remains just one of fifty states, but if more and more stabs are taken at Critical Race Theory and ethnic studies, our youth and therefore our adult future will have a reduced understanding of American oppression. This will set us decades behind in organizational and individual efforts to eliminate racial bigotry, implicit bias, and systemic inequality.

Resource Alternatives: Practicing the Truth

As an adolescent, I learned of Black lynchings, brutality, marches, hate crimes, opportunity deprivation, voting violations, and much more in my social studies classes. In the suburbs of Minneapolis, I am very grateful to have educators that extended the whole truth and supported students with the material necessary to have a culturally respectful and inclusive lifestyle. I can only hope that the growing generation will be equipped with similar leaders and be rightfully informed of America’s truth. There is no system change without mindset change, which emphasizes that our education plays the most critical role in rejecting a legacy of whiteness and patriarchal control.

To advocate for inclusivity and diversity in history, we must understand the importance of accessing reliable resources that offer an uncensored perspective on Black American history and the experiences of people of color. Here is a compiled list of resources that provide a comprehensive and accurate account of their stories:
1. Books:

• "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander

• "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America" by Ibram X. Kendi

• "The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration" by Isabel Wilkerson

• "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn

• "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America" by Richard Rothstein

2. Documentaries and Film:

• "13th" (2016) directed by Ava DuVernay

• "I Am Not Your Negro" (2016) directed by Raoul Peck

• "Eyes on the Prize" (1987, TV series)

• "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution" (2015) directed by Stanley Nelson

• "Hidden Figures" (2016) directed by Theodore Melfi

3. Online Resources and Websites:

• National Museum of African American History and Culture: Offers a wide range of exhibits, collections, and educational resources on Black American history.

• African American History Month website by the Library of Congress: A wealth of primary and secondary resources, including photographs, speeches, and essays.

• The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute: Provides access to King's papers, speeches, and writings.

• The Zinn Education Project: Offers free resources and teaching materials for educators focused on people's history and the struggles of marginalized communities.

4. Online Archives and Databases:

• Digital Public Library of America (DPLA): Provides access to a broad range of historically significant material, including photographs, manuscripts, and oral histories.

• African American History Archives at the Smithsonian: Offers online access to digitized collections and resources related to African American culture and history.

• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): Contains various collections and documents related to civil rights, segregation, and other relevant topics.

5. Podcasts

• "Uncensored Black History" - Hosted by renowned historian Dr. Jamal Rogers, this podcast dives deep into the often untold stories of black American history. Dr. Rogers brings historical documents, interviews with experts, and personal narratives to paint a vivid picture of the reality of black people's experiences throughout American history.

• "Black Chronicles" - Join host Dr. Maya Jackson as she explores lesser-known aspects of black history, focusing on the unfiltered truth behind pivotal events, figures, and movements. Dr. Jackson aims to challenge commonly held narratives and encourage listeners to critically examine the impact of black Americans on shaping the country.

• "Hidden Histories: Uncovering Black America" - In this podcast, host Marcus Thompson brings to light hidden stories and unsung heroes from black American history. From the forgotten contributions of black soldiers in various wars to the untold stories of black pioneers, this podcast seeks to fill in the gaps left by traditional history books.

• "Breaking Barriers: Reclaiming Black Narratives" - Hosted by Keshia Johnson, this podcast confronts the whitewashing of black American history. Through in-depth conversations with scholars, artists, and activists, Johnson sheds light on the true impact of slavery, systemic racism, and the ongoing fight for racial equality.

• "Black Voices Rising" - This podcast amplifies the voices of black historians, educators, and activists who are dedicated to uncovering the uncensored truth of black American history. Hosted by Brittany Adams, each episode explores different aspects of the African American experience and challenges listeners to question their understanding of the past.

• "The Real Story: Black History Revisited" - Join host Tyrone Barnes as he brings attention to marginalized voices and untangled stories from black American history. From the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement to the ongoing fight against racial injustice, this podcast unearths the complex realities often hidden beneath the surface.

Let us take advantage of the truth we have access to from our fingertips. Self-education and freedom of curiosity is our right of passage - and the very power we will use to challenge these systems of isolation.