MIAMI, FL - In a press conference at Naples, Florida on Wednesday, Gov. DeSantis outlined the topics he considers to be acceptable features in civics curricula. The state has received a $106 million boost in federal funding due to the pandemic. Of this funding, DeSantis intends for $17 million to be used to create civic curricula without “unsanctioned narratives like critical race theory.” He further claimed that this academic approach is “not worth one red cent of taxpayer money.”
Micah Kubic, executive director, ACLU of Florida responded:
“If we can’t examine and reflect on both the successes and faults of our government, what is the point of a democracy?
“The analysis of how our laws intersect with people of color and other marginalized groups is integral to informing public policy. Our government is tasked with the job of providing equitable treatment to all people, not just the privileged. To accomplish that, we must allow our students to think for themselves about the systemic barriers and discrimination that people of color and other marginalized communities still face in this country.
"When Gov. DeSantis makes comments like ‘there is no room in our classrooms for things like critical race theory,’ what he's really saying is that he doesn't want or trust our students to think for themselves. He seeks to silence individuals and impose an alternate version of American history that clearly erases the lived experiences of people in our country, and that makes it harder for us to achieve full justice and freedom for all Floridians.
“Gov. DeSantis should focus on the business of governing the state. Not imposing academic curricula that suits him. We have professionals for that.”
