Suppressing History and Whitewashing Racism

From the dark era of lynching to the banning of books that shed light on racial injustice, these actions have had a profound impact on our understanding of the past and present.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that restricts discussions on topics such as slavery, civil rights, and systemic racism in classrooms. This move has sparked debates about censorship, academic freedom, and the importance of an inclusive education.

The Florida Department of Education released its social studies standards for this school year. The 216-page document states, “Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”

When Gov. DeSantis was asked to explain this shocking rewrite of the brutal, bloody history of slavery in the United States, he said, “They’re probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life.”

Renowned civil rights attorney and Florida resident Ben Crump responded on the Democracy Now! news hour, saying, “It is sickening. It is astonishing that in 2023 we can have a person who is the second in contention for the Republican nomination telling his supporters and his state that he governs that it is going to be mandated now that students in Florida, starting from middle school on, will have to be taught that slavery had positive benefits… It has the potential to cause serious psychological trauma to African American students. We will not stand for it. We will explore every possible legal remedy in the court of law.”

The catalog of atrocities during the centuries-long practice of legal enslavement in the US is long: forced labor, beatings, whipping, torture, rape, murder, the separation of families, the denial and criminalization of education, and more. The suggestion that the millions of enslaved people in this country somehow benefited from their enslavement is simply grotesque.

Strong social movements are one of the best tools against those who would rollback progress. Throughout history, we have witnessed the transformative impact of collective action in addressing various forms of discrimination and oppression.

One significant example is the movement against lynching, a horrific act of violence that targeted African Americans during the era of racial segregation. Through organized protests, advocacy campaigns, and legislative efforts, activists were able to raise awareness about this heinous crime and push for laws that aimed to prevent it.

Social movements serve as crucial catalysts for change by shedding light on systemic injustices and demanding accountability from those in power. They empower communities to challenge discriminatory practices and advocate for a more equitable society.

By combating inequality through collective action and amplifying marginalized voices, we can begin to dismantle oppressive systems and create a more just world.