2023-01-25 12:40:50

“Lacks Educational Value”? Critics Slam Florida’s Rejection of AP African American Studies Course

Civil right advocates, educators and lawyers, like Ben Crump, are fighting Florida education officials who rejected a new advanced placement course for high school students on African American studies. Officials say the course “lacks educational value,” and Republican Governor Ron DeSantis claims the course violates state law. Opponents object to the course’s inclusion of works by scholar and former Black Panther Angela Davis, and of material on intersectionality, reparations and Black queer history, among other topics. Last year, Florida passed a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law that prevents Florida teachers from discussing sexuality and gender identity in classrooms. We go to Miami and Tallahassee to speak to Dr. Steve Gallon, a lifelong educator and a former teacher, principal and superintendent, who now serves as an elected school board member for Miami-Dade County Schools, and Democratic state Senator Shevrin Jones, the first openly gay person to serve in the state’s Senate.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

"Don't Say Gay" African American studies Black queer history Democracy Now! Florida education Miami-Dade County Schools Republican Governor Ron DeSantis Senator Shevrin Jones

Politics

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | No More DEI for Public Broadcasting

The Thom Hartmann Program | No More DEI for Public Broadcasting

The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show | Is There a Looming Trade War with China?

The Rick Smith Show | Is There a Looming Trade War with China?

FSTV Speaks

FSTV Speaks | Protecting Immigrant Lives

FSTV Speaks | Protecting Immigrant Lives

The Stephanie Miller Show

The Stephanie Miller Show | Glenn Kirschner on Trump’s Callous Response to Air Crash

The Stephanie Miller Show | Glenn Kirschner on Trump’s Callous Response to Air Crash

Related

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Democracy Now! | USAID Shutdown? Elon Musk Claims Trump Agreed to Dismantle Agency

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Democracy Now! | Voices for Peace: Israelis and Palestinians Unite

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley on Project 2025

Democracy Now! | U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley on Project 2025

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Counter-Demonstrators Spark Over 100 Arrests Amid Protest

Democracy Now! | Counter-Demonstrators Spark Over 100 Arrests Amid Protest

Proud Partners