opinion | DeSantis’ efforts to ‘wake up’ education undercut in Florida
to the Editor:
Re “Under Pressure, Board Revises AP African American Curriculum” (Front Page, February 2):
It is, of course, sad that your article about the snatched African American curriculum curriculum went online on the first day of Black History Month.
Either Gov. Ron DeSantis really believes that critical thinking, a fundamental understanding of how the United States of America came to be, and reading books that deepen kids’ empathy for other kids will actually mess up kids, or he’s just Making the public happy.
Whether the governor likes it or not, the history of our country, like that of all empires, is not entirely pretty. Does it hurt to know that the land you live on was brutally taken from its original inhabitants and that the house you live in was bought with a loan that someone else has been given because of the color of his skin? Was the person refused to give? I hope
But the purpose of teaching children the history of their country is not to make them feel bad about themselves personally. If a kid, any kid, comes away from class feeling bad about themselves, that’s just bad teaching. However, they should understand that not everyone has these advantages, be grateful for their good fortune, and work to ensure that everyone’s path is equally suitable.
Educators have such a hard time helping children become empathetic and engaged citizens with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a global community without becoming shuttlecocks in a soulless game of political and cultural badminton.
kevin barr
Bethesda, MD
The author was an English teacher and administrator for more than 40 years at the Georgetown Day School in Washington.
to the Editor:
I am a current high school junior who has taken several Advanced Placement courses. The College Board is completely spineless for the government to bow to the demands of people like Ron DeSantis. As much as he – or anyone else for that matter – may not like the Black Lives Matter movement, there is no way to ignore it in a curriculum that studies the contemporary history and culture of African American people.
And, of course, just being presented with information doesn’t mean it will be “implantation”.
The blatant deletion of Black, queer, and feminist scholars from the curriculum is egregious. No one deserves to give up their experience or point of view.
At the center of this debate is the student’s right to learn, and I believe the student’s right to learn is above all else. History is not meant to be watered.
to the Editor:
As a Black man and a retired police officer, I’ve been crying a lot lately. Crying out of a deep sense of indignation, grief, shame and fear.
Outrage as yet another unarmed black man is brutally killed by police officers. In communities of color across the United States, police use of deadly force and acts of misconduct and mistreatment have risen to epidemic proportions. People of color may now feel victimized by those who are supposed to protect them, worried that their names will be added to the ever-growing statistics.
Saddened by the pain I know Tyra Nichols’ family and friends must be going through now.
A shame, because the officers who killed Tire looked just like me. He took the same oath that I took to protect and serve the community. They insulted and dishonored the badge that they wore.
But most of all fear, because I worry that my grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sons-in-law may one day become victims of this madness. I can only pray that they remember the things I taught them about surviving a police encounter, and that they are able to live to fight another day.
I know in my heart that Tyr Nichols will not be the last death of a Black man at the hands of the police this year.
There must be change. There should be accountability. The genocide must stop.
Charles P. Wilson
Beltsville, MD
The author is webmaster and past president of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers.
to the Editor:
Re “Trump in ’24? GOP Leaders Are Not So Sure” (Front Page, Jan. 27):
There have been many reports of Donald Trump’s impending political demise recently, but he remains a dangerous opponent and a formidable campaigner despite the predictions.
His power has always come not from politicians but from ordinary people who see him as an older, more successful version of himself. No matter how obvious it may seem to the rest of us, the basis of the message one hears is always clear.
Many of his chosen candidates are defeated in 2022 because of their failures; That hasn’t diminished his appeal to the megabase.
He is a fighter, with the constitution and mentality of an alligator, who attacks ferociously when attacked. He has no respect for the truth, but he has realized that millions of voters don’t either.
Certainly none of the sorry group of Republicans you mentioned in your article have anything like their power on the campaign trail.
to the Editor:
“Politicians push back on holding ESG funds” by Ron Lieber (“Your Money,” Jan. 30):
The battle between Red States and asset manager BlackRock is symptomatic of a much greater threat facing American democracy today: attempts by state legislators to take away the right to boycott as a tool for social and political change.
The first anti-boycott bill introduced in 2015 to punish Americans who boycott Israel has since passed 28 other states. In early 2021, Republicans used it as a template to punish companies that invest in environmental, social and governance in several states, leading to the current face-off with BlackRock in Texas.
Bills introduced earlier this year in South Carolina, Iowa and Missouri follow the same template as the original anti-boycott legislation punishing boycotts of Israel, but aim to punish those state contractors. expand that may include boycotting companies that do not offer reproductive health. care or gender-affirming care and companies that do not meet workplace diversity criteria.
From civil rights leaders to farm workers and anti-apartheid activists, Americans have relied on boycotts throughout the nation’s history. We are currently at a crossroads where such an important tool may not be available to future generations.
Julia Bacha
New York
The writer is a film producer and director of “Boycott”.
living without plastic
to the Editor:
Re “Plastic surgery: no phone, no credit card, no bed” (Sunday Styles, Jan 15):
I loved reading your report about living without plastic for 24 hours after taking your home-delivery times out of their plastic wrappers.
David Elsila
Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.