This week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in conjunction with Florida’s Education department, blocked an African American Studies Advanced Placement course that was designed for public high schools.
While the decision was applauded by many, civil rights attorney Ben Crump plans to sue the Governor if he does not allow the course to be taught in the sunshine state.
Proponents of allowing the course in schools say it is important to teach African-American history. DeSantis defended the decision by arguing that the course is pushing a left-wing ideology by teaching subjects such as Queer theory that are not relevant to the history of African-Americans.
“This course on Black history, what’s one of the lessons about? Queer theory. Now, who would say that an important part of Black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda,” DeSantis remarked.
DeSantis on an AP course he denied for High Schools:
“This [African American Studies] course on black history— What’s one of the lessons about? Queer theory. Now who would say an important part of black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda on our kids.” pic.twitter.com/bpxO4y6YZk
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 24, 2023
The decision to block the course from Florida schools was applauded by many and even led to the College Board, the non-profit organization that designs and manages the Advanced Placement courses in the United States, promising to update the program.
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Excellent news. Thanks to @GovRonDeSantis' principled stand for education over identity politics, the College Board will be revising the course for the entire nation.
The Florida Department of Education (@EducationFL) will review the changes for compliance once resubmitted. https://t.co/p4JWwsKGay
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) January 24, 2023
Still, after a wave of backlash by the mainstream media and Democratic politicians in Florida, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump announced his plan to sue the state if they do not reinstate the classes.
“We’re here to give notice to Gov. DeSantis that if he does not negotiate with the College Board, to allow AP African American studies to be taught in the classrooms across the state of Florida, that these three young people will be the lead plaintiffs in a historic lawsuit,” Crump said, pointing to the students.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump: “We’re here to give notice to Governor DeSantis that if he does not negotiate with the college board to allow AP African American Studies … that these three young people will be the lead plaintiffs in a historic lawsuit.” pic.twitter.com/6ltfuwfRnE
— The Recount (@therecount) January 25, 2023
“Will we let Governor DeSantis or anybody exterminate Black history in the classrooms across America?” Crump asked. “What this really is about is saying you cannot exterminate us. You cannot exterminate our culture, and you can never exterminate the value of our children in this world.”
While Crump’s initial statement seemed more like an ultimatum than a final decision to sue Florida, a press release given to The Root makes it clear that Crump already has his mind made up about the lawsuit.
“Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and attorney Craig Whisenhunt will join students and elected officials to announce their intent to file a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the State of Florida for rejecting the…
— Allison Miller (@AFMiller2021) January 25, 2023
“Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and attorney Craig Whisenhunt will join students and elected officials to announce their intent to file a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the State of Florida for rejecting the Advanced Placement African American Studies course from being taught in Florida high schools. Attorney Crump will be joined by three AP honors high school students who will serve as the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit against DeSantis.” The press release said.
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