Controversy Surrounds Florida's Slavery Curriculum: Black Republican Congressman and Senator Speak Out
Republican congressman John James, who is Black, criticized Florida governor Ron DeSantis for defending the state's new educational standards that teach public school students that enslaved Black Americans benefited from their forced labor by learning useful skills. James argued that there was nothing beneficial about slavery for his ancestors and accused DeSantis of rewriting history. He also defended his fellow Black Republican lawmakers Byron Donalds and Tim Scott, who had criticized the curriculum. James cautioned DeSantis against attacking them, highlighting that there are only five Black Republicans in Congress. DeSantis is a presidential hopeful and is currently trailing former president Donald Trump in the polls for the Republican nomination.