Florida’s African American History Task Force Bypassed in Revamp of Teaching Standards

Florida’s Revamped Black History Standards Draw Controversy

When Florida set out to update its standards for teaching Black history this spring, many expected the state’s African American History Task Force to play a key role. However, state officials largely bypassed the task force, leading to backlash over the new standards.

The standards, created to comply with a new law limiting how racism and history can be taught, have faced criticism for their language and content. Some sections have been contested, such as the statement that “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” Another section mentioned race massacres of the 20th century, including violence perpetrated not just against, but also “by African Americans.”

Members of the task force, who were not consulted during the creation of the standards, expressed disappointment and concern over the direction of the new curriculum. Dr. Samuel L. Wright Sr., the former vice chairman of the task force, stated, “I would not be a party to standards of African American history that homogenizes our history.”

The Department of Education created a 13-member work group to draft the standards, which included individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. However, details about the process have not been fully disclosed, leading to questions about the level of agreement among the group members.

Despite the controversy, supporters of the standards, such as Dr. William Allen and Dr. Frances Presley Rice, defended the portrayal of enslaved individuals using skills for their “personal benefit” as a sign of resilience and adaptability. They emphasized that the intention was not to portray slavery itself as beneficial, but to highlight the resourcefulness of enslaved people.

The new standards have reignited discussions about the teaching of African American history in Florida, a subject that has been required since 1994. The African American History Task Force, which has seen a shift in membership under Governor Ron DeSantis, is now tasked with implementing the new curriculum.

As the debate continues, educators, lawmakers, and community leaders are grappling with how to accurately and respectfully teach Black history in Florida’s schools. The controversy surrounding the revamped standards underscores the importance of inclusive and comprehensive education on the contributions and experiences of African Americans in the state and beyond.