NAACP issues travel advisory for Florida over DeSantis’ ‘aggressive attempts to erase Black history’
The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida due to Governor Ron DeSantis’ “aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs” in schools, according to a statement from the organization. The advisory comes after DeSantis’ administration blocked an Advanced Placement course in African American Studies from being offered in Florida high schools in January. In response, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said that “failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all.” The advisory specifically warns African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals traveling to Florida to understand that the state is “openly hostile” toward those groups.
The College Board, a nonprofit organization that oversees the AP program nationwide, moved to revise its framework for the curriculum after state officials said they rejected it because of six areas of concern, including “Black Queer Studies,” “Intersectionality,” and “Black Struggle in the 21st Century.” The revised syllabus removed the names of several Black authors identified as problematic by Florida officials, substantially revised sections about intersectionality, and removed a section about the Movement for Black Lives. Although the College Board and many academic experts consulted about the course framework insisted they would not cave to political pressure, the changes made concessions that directly address conservatives’ concerns.
Governor DeSantis, who is expected to soon launch a 2024 presidential campaign, has made education and other social issues a large focus of his administration. Last year, he signed into law legislation dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act,” which restricts how race and gender are discussed in classrooms. DeSantis’ office and the NAACP did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the travel advisory.
FAQs:
What is the NAACP travel advisory for Florida about?
The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida due to Governor Ron DeSantis’ “aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs” in schools.
What prompted the advisory?
The advisory follows DeSantis’ administration blocking an Advanced Placement course in African American Studies from being offered in Florida high schools in January.
What does the advisory warn?
The advisory specifically warns African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals traveling to Florida to understand that the state is “openly hostile” toward those groups.
What was the College Board’s response to Florida officials’ rejection of the AP course?
The College Board moved to revise its framework for the curriculum after state officials said they rejected it because of six areas of concern, including “Black Queer Studies,” “Intersectionality,” and “Black Struggle in the 21st Century.” The revised syllabus removed the names of several Black authors identified as problematic by Florida officials, substantially revised sections about intersectionality, and removed a section about the Movement for Black Lives.
What other education policies has DeSantis focused on?
DeSantis has made education and other social issues a large focus of his administration and last year signed into law legislation dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act,” which restricts how race and gender are discussed in classrooms.
Florida Receives Travel Advisory from NAACP due to DeSantis’ Effort to Eliminate Black History
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has issued a travel advisory for Florida due to Governor Ron DeSantis’ alleged attempts to “restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs” in the state’s schools, the organization said in a statement. The advisory was proposed by the organization’s Florida State Conference and passed unanimously in March. The statement claims that Florida’s government is openly hostile towards African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The move comes after DeSantis’ administration blocked an Advanced Placement course in African American Studies from being offered in Florida high schools. The College Board, which oversees the AP program nationwide, revised the syllabus to address conservatives’ concerns after state officials rejected it. DeSantis has made education and social issues a focus of his administration, signing into law the “Stop WOKE Act” which restricts discussions of race and gender in classrooms.