Controversial Florida Black History Standards Spark Backlash
The Florida Board of Education has approved new standards for teaching Black history in public schools, which has drawn criticism from education and civil rights advocates who argue that students should learn the "full truth" of American history. The standards come after the state passed legislation prohibiting instruction that suggests privilege or oppression based on race. The new guidelines include teaching about the skills slaves developed for personal benefit and the acts of violence against African Americans in events like the Ocoee massacre and other race massacres. Critics argue that the standards are a step backward and fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of American history.