Vice President Kamala Harris Opposes Florida Board of Education's New Black History Standards During Jacksonville Visit

Summary:

• Vice President Kamala Harris will oppose Florida's new black history standards in Jacksonville.
• The changes in the standards include specific descriptions of massacres and recognition of beneficial skills of enslaved people.
• The State Stop Woke Act aims to prevent race discussions from being used for indoctrination.
• Critics argue that the new standards sanitize the history of slavery, while supporters believe they strike an appropriate balance.
• Vice President Harris advocates for a comprehensive understanding of the nation's past, including uncomfortable history.
• Her visit will include meetings with various stakeholders, discussing the importance of teaching America's complete history.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to arrive in Jacksonville within the next two hours to deliver remarks opposing Florida's new black history standards in schools.

The Florida Board of Education recently approved new standards that alter the curriculum on African American history taught in schools. The changes include more specific descriptions about the massacres of black Americans and recognition of the potentially beneficial skills enslaved people learned. These revisions mark the first updates since the implementation of the State Stop Woke Act, which aims to prevent discussions about race from being used for indoctrination or persuasion of a particular point of view. Education Commissioner's support for these changes was mirrored by critics who argue that the new standards sanitize the history of slavery. In contrast, opponents, including the NAACP, criticize the changes for not addressing the full extent of historical atrocities and discrimination such as the slave trade and Jim Crow laws. Vice President Harris strongly advocates for providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the nation's past, even if it means confronting uncomfortable history. During her visit to Jacksonville, she will engage with parents, educators, civil rights leaders, and elected officials to discuss the importance of preserving and teaching America's complete history.

The Vice President's visit seeks to address the contentious debate over historical education standards and highlight the significance of acknowledging the nation's past in its entirety. The outcome of this visit could potentially influence future discussions on curriculum revisions and the approach to teaching sensitive historical topics in schools.