CNN
—
Florida rejects a proposed advanced placement course African American Studies Because the movement for black lives matter includes the study of topics such as black feminism and reparations, according to a list of concerns provided to CNN on Friday by the Republican government. Ron DeSantis‘ Office.
A one-page document prepared by the Florida Department of Education also questions the inclusion of writings by some black authors and historians. Touch on critical race theory and black communism. For example, the government objects to what Robin DG Kelly, a professor of American history at UCLA, has written, who warned that “establishing safe spaces and renaming campus buildings will do nothing to overthrow capitalism.”
The state also said that the curriculum framework for the study of reparations—an argument for reparations against black Americans for slavery and other historical atrocities and acts of oppression—”lacks a critical perspective or balancing perspective in this course.”
“All points and evidence in this study suggest reparations,” the document said.
The state based its curriculum commitments on the 81-page syllabus from February 2022. According to the List of Concerns, when students read “Motions and Debates,” their objections are covered in six topics in the fourth and final section.
An earlier draft version of the concerns sent to CNN by DeSantis’ office contained an objection to the study of “The Black Power Movement and The Black Panther Party.” The draft version states, “The Black Panther Party (BPP) is based on the ideology of Marxism-Leninism. The BPP’s mission is basically to replace or overthrow the US government. However, in the updated version of Concerns of the State, references to the Black Panther Party were removed and replaced with an objection to the study of “Black Queer Studies.”
On Jan. 12, the state Department of Education notified the College Board, the body that oversees the Advanced Placement program, that the course violated state law and denied admission to Florida schools.
The course, the first of its kind, was first introduced as a pilot in about 60 schools in the fall and will be offered nationwide beginning in the 2024-25 school year. It was developed over the past decade and is a multidisciplinary study of the African American diaspora that includes literature, arts, science, politics, and geography.
The College Board declined to directly address the decision in Florida in an earlier statement to CNN, but said, “We look forward to bringing this rich and inspiring exploration of African-American history and culture to students across the country.”
DeSantis’ office said the state will reconsider the decision if the curriculum is changed to comply with Florida law.
Under DeSantis — whose standing among conservatives has risen nationwide, following his public stances on hot-button cultural issues and reportedly weighing a 2024 presidential bid — the state has banned the teaching of critical racial theory. Last year, it moved to ban instruction that suggests someone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color.
