Staff Reports
Vice President Kamala Harris continues to mislead the American people about Florida’s educational standards, specifically when it comes to African-American History. Despite a direct invitation from Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the curriculum and meet with Dr. William Allen, a black man descended from slaves who helped put the curriculum together, Harris declined the invitation less than 24 hours later. Instead, she chose to speak at the African Methodist Episcopal Women’s Missionary Convention in Orlando, where she once again spewed her false claims about Florida teaching slavery in a positive light.
Kamala Harris Rebuffs Ron DeSantis' Invitation to Discuss Florida's Education Standards https://t.co/j8jUmw9ErS
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 2, 2023
Harris claims that Florida plans to teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery. This is a complete distortion of the truth and an insult to the American people. Governor DeSantis and the curriculum writers have repeatedly stated that the standards do not include any mention of slavery being beneficial. The mention of skills acquired by former slaves was meant to highlight how they used their abilities to help themselves and their families, or even contribute to the nation, like Frederick Douglass did. Harris conveniently ignores these facts in her pursuit of a divisive narrative.
“It’s past time to set the record straight.”@GovRonDeSantis is inviting @VP to Florida to discuss our new African American history standards with him and Dr. Allen.
Read Governor DeSantis’ letter below: pic.twitter.com/o2W69iJ5il
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) August 1, 2023
We do not need to debate: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery. pic.twitter.com/ywfnKeyfKk
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) August 1, 2023
Extremists attempt to divide our nation with unnecessary debates.
But I have news for them: We will not be distracted — and we will not be deterred. pic.twitter.com/tnCzOyzb3R
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) August 1, 2023
So you’re afraid of having a conversation with the black scholars who wrote this curriculum? We all know why.
— Barbara P 🇺🇸 (@barbarapagem) August 2, 2023
No one was asking for a debate, the letter was the Governor of the 3rd most populous state asking to meet with the Vice President of the United States to discuss matters related to clarity of educational curriculum.
You won't meet him because you're a coward.
— Dan Goldwasser (@dgoldwas) August 2, 2023
You are gaslighting Americans, Kamala.
Utterly shameful.— Jamie 🇺🇲 🇨🇦 (@LibertyJamison) August 1, 2023
Remember when Florida wouldn’t allow that AP African American Studies course because it focused too much on CRT and not enough on history, and the @WhiteHouse lost its mind?
Well, here is one of the standards considered “essential knowledge.”
See it here https://t.co/MFjfBjEFc9 pic.twitter.com/s8boDdYzks
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) July 27, 2023
It’s no surprise that Harris declined Governor DeSantis’ invitation to have an honest discussion about the curriculum. She would rather stick to her own political agenda than engage in a constructive conversation. Her refusal to engage with individuals who actually understand the curriculum, such as Dr. Allen, only reinforces her commitment to spreading misinformation.
Not only is Harris misleading the public about the curriculum, but she has also joined President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in criticizing Florida for supposed “book bans.” In reality, Florida’s law simply requires school districts to report any books that parents have challenged as inappropriate. This is a reasonable response to the concerns of parents who want to know what materials are available to their children. Yet, the Biden administration insists on portraying this as censorship and attacking Florida’s efforts to ensure the well-being of its students.
Harris and the Biden administration’s ignorance about Florida’s educational standards is astounding. Instead of engaging in an honest discussion and seeking the truth, they choose to perpetuate false narratives and push their own agenda. It’s clear that their priority is political gain, rather than the education and well-being of our children. Florida’s commitment to accurate and comprehensive education should be commended, not smeared with baseless accusations. It’s time for Harris to step out of the darkness of her misleading rhetoric and embrace the truth.
