Florida Board of Education Bans Critical Race Theory

This morning, the Florida Board of Education approved a rule that Governor Ron DeSantis advanced, which will effectively ban education on certain ideas concerning race and history. The rules read: “Instruction on the required topics must be factual and objective and may not suppress or distort significant historical events, such as the Holocaust, and may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.”

Watch Live: State Board of Education on the importance of keeping Critical Race Theory out of our schools.https://t.co/JgexNXmWrO

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 10, 2021

DeSantis and his Republican counterparts have been pushing back against Critical Race Theory that is being pushed in the public school systems across America.

Utah Legislature Passes Resolution Denouncing Critical Race Theory, Request Board of Education Removes Indoctrinating Propaganda https://t.co/cffDZk4Aif

— Media Right News (@MediaRightNews1) May 21, 2021

Montana State Superintendent Asks State Attorney General to Investigate if Promoting Critical Race Theory Violates Civil Rights Act of 1964 https://t.co/SJC61zLkoo

— Media Right News (@MediaRightNews1) May 13, 2021

DeSantis’s office told Fox News that the rule excludes the term “critical race theory” because “CRT isn’t the only issue”. This rule is an effective pushback against anti-White racism. Chrisitna Pushaw, DeSantis’ press secretary said, “No child should be classified as a ‘victim’ or ‘oppressor’ based on their race or ethnicity. Race essentialism in any form is destructive, especially in a diverse society where each person should be judged only by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.”

In a meeting with the Florida Board of Education DeSantis explained his passion behind the banning of CRT and other similar teaching methods: “The woke class wants to teach kids to hate each other, rather than teaching them how to read, but we will not let them bring nonsense ideology into Florida’s schools. As the Governor of Florida, I love this state, and I love my country. I find it unthinkable that there are other people in positions of leadership in the federal government who believe that we should teach kids to hate our country. We will not stand for it here in Florida. I’m proud that we are taking action today to ensure our state continues to have the greatest educational system in the nation.”

Arguments in support of CRT typically stem from a viewpoint that America was founded and built on slavery and therefore America’s public institutions are systemically racist and oppressive towards African Americans or other minority groups. Republicans like DeSantis don’t believe that banning CRT is whitewashing any part of America’s history but believe it is indoctrinating America’s youth and promoting white guilt in children. Governor DeSantis’ Communications Director Taryn Fenske said in a statement that “the bottom line and objective of education is not to introduce ideology and fight political battles – it’s to prepare our students to be great citizens. It’s not telling you what to think, but how to think, and to think critically – with the ultimate goal of ensuring Florida students become well-rounded, civically minded, productive members of society.”

The Board of Education vote on the amendment has agitated many pro-CRT educators. Dr. Vonzoll Agosot from the University of South Florida believes a ban of CRT will hurt the education system. Agosoto told Bay News, “I’m worried about the ban, the potential ban on critical race theory, as a way of limiting students access to critical thinking, to ethical deliberation. And being able to understand what happens in the U.S. with regards to race and racism.”

Stay tuned to Media Right News for any updates.