Kamala Harris Rejects Invitation from Florida Governor to Discuss Black History Curriculum
WASHINGTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has declined an invitation from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the state’s new Black history curriculum, stating that she will not be debating the topic of slavery with him.
DeSantis, who is vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, extended the invitation to Harris on Monday after the vice president criticized the curriculum for promoting what she called “revisionist history” about slavery in the United States.
In July, Florida’s board of education approved new guidelines for the curriculum, including one for middle school students that states “instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
Harris, who was in Orlando to deliver remarks at an African Methodist Episcopal Church event, made a previously-scheduled speech in the state on Tuesday. Addressing the audience, she firmly stated, “Well, I’m here in Florida. I will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery.”
Harris has been actively engaging in a tour of nearly a dozen U.S. states in recent weeks, taking aim at DeSantis and his policies. She has urged healthcare workers in Iowa to rebel against the state’s new restrictive abortion laws and rallied Latinos in Chicago to combat what she called “extremist” Republicans.
DeSantis, who previously blocked an advanced placement African American studies course from being taught to high school students in Florida, accused the Biden administration of disparaging the state and spreading misinformation on the subject.
The ongoing dispute between Harris and DeSantis highlights the contentious nature of discussions surrounding Black history education in the United States. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and what impact it will have on future curriculum guidelines.
Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Alistair Bell and Bill Berkrot
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
How does the ongoing dispute between Harris and DeSantis reflect the contentious nature of discussions surrounding Black history education in the United States
Kamala Harris Rejects Florida Governor’s Invitation to Discuss Black History Curriculum
Washington, Aug 1 (Reuters) – Vice President Kamala Harris has declined an invitation from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the state’s new Black history curriculum, stating that she will not be debating the topic of slavery with him.
DeSantis, who is vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, extended the invitation to Harris on Monday after the vice president criticized the curriculum for promoting what she called “revisionist history” about slavery in the United States.
In July, Florida’s board of education approved new guidelines for the curriculum, including one for middle school students that states “instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
Harris, who was in Orlando to deliver remarks at an African Methodist Episcopal Church event, made a previously-scheduled speech in the state on Tuesday. Addressing the audience, she firmly stated, “Well, I’m here in Florida. I will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery.”
Harris has been actively engaging in a tour of nearly a dozen U.S. states in recent weeks, taking aim at DeSantis and his policies. She has urged healthcare workers in Iowa to rebel against the state’s new restrictive abortion laws and rallied Latinos in Chicago to combat what she called “extremist” Republicans.
DeSantis, who previously blocked an advanced placement African American studies course from being taught to high school students in Florida, accused the Biden administration of disparaging the state and spreading misinformation on the subject.
The ongoing dispute between Harris and DeSantis highlights the contentious nature of discussions surrounding Black history education in the United States. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and what impact it will have on future curriculum guidelines.
Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Alistair Bell and Bill Berkrot
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
It’s disappointing to see Vice President Harris reject the opportunity for an open debate on Florida’s black history curriculum. Constructive discussion and differing perspectives could have helped shape a more inclusive and comprehensive education system for all students.
It’s disappointing to see Vice President Harris reject an opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Florida Governor about the state’s black history curriculum. Open discussions and debates are vital to shaping inclusive education policies that accurately reflect the nation’s history and promote equality.