Portrait of Ron DeSantis
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Ron DeSantis on Slavery

Defends controversial curriculum (strong)

TL;DR

Ron DeSantis has repeatedly defended a Florida curriculum standard suggesting enslaved people benefited from skills learned during bondage.

Key Points

  • He defended the state standard that suggests enslaved people developed skills which could be applied for personal benefit in some instances.

  • Critics, including some Black Republicans, voiced intense opposition to the part of the curriculum stating that slavery could have offered a "personal benefit."

  • The administration allegedly listed Black historical figures, like Ned Cobb, as examples of skilled enslaved people, though Cobb was born after slavery ended.

Summary

Ron DeSantis has been at the center of controversy for his defense of new Florida social studies standards, which include teaching that enslaved people developed skills which could, in some instances, benefit them personally. He has stated the curriculum is designed to show that some individuals parlayed skills like blacksmithing into later life opportunities. Historians and critics argue this minimizes the inherent evil and brutality of enslavement, which involved systemic rape, torture, and dehumanization.

This position is situated within his broader actions concerning education and history in Florida, which critics claim attempt to gloss over or deny the legacy of racial oppression. While he has defended the instruction by saying “scholars” created it, the governor has actively championed the policy, which some within his own party also called for adjustment. The approach has been framed by some as an effort to appeal nationally to voters by denying the exploitative nature of slavery.

Key Quotes

sought to censor Black history in classrooms and called slavery “beneficial” for Black people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ron DeSantis strongly supports the new Florida social studies standards, which critics argue minimize the cruelty of slavery by suggesting enslaved people gained personal benefits from skills acquired. He has defended the inclusion of this viewpoint as part of teaching a full history.

The governor defended the curriculum which states that enslaved people developed skills that could be applied for their personal benefit in some instances. He elaborated that some parlayed skills like blacksmithing into later life opportunities, a claim that generated significant backlash.

The governor has repeatedly stood by the controversial curriculum standards despite widespread criticism from educators and political figures across the spectrum. He has not indicated a change in his official support for the guidelines as they were written.