Governor Ron DeSantis has declared that critical race theory will not be taught in Florida schools because it 'teaches kids to hat...
Governor Ron DeSantis has declared that critical race theory will not be taught in Florida schools because it 'teaches kids to hate their country and each other'.
DeSantis made the comments on Wednesday when he proposed a $106million boost in funding for civics education in the state, using money from President Joe Biden's coronavirus aid package.
He said $17million would be targeted for developing civics curricula with 'foundational concepts' - and not 'unsanctioned narratives like critical race theory'.
'Let me be clear: There is no room in our classrooms for things like critical race theory,' the Republican governor told a news conference in Naples. 'Teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money.'
Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday declared that critical race theory will not be taught in Florida schools because it 'teaches kids to hate their country and each other'
Critical race theory examines the way race and racism influences politics, culture and the law.
According to Purdue University, critical race theory scholarship shows how racism continues to be persuasive and why it denies individuals their constitutional rights.
Last year, then-President Donald Trump, whose support was crucial for DeSantis winning the Governor's Mansion, cracked down on diversity training at federal agencies that employed critical race theory.
Trump branded seminars that employ the theory as 'divisive' and 'anti-American propaganda', tweeting: 'Americans should be taught to take PRIDE in our Great Country, and if you don't there's nothing in it for you!'
Trump's order came after the US spent a summer reckoning over racial injustice in policing and other spheres of American life.
Critics blasted the ban on racial sensitivity training, saying it was more important than ever given the country's social and political climate.
When he took office, Biden signed an executive order reversing the Trump-era policy.
Last year, then-President Donald Trump, whose support was crucial for DeSantis winning the Governor's Mansion, cracked down on diversity training at federal agencies that employed critical race theory. Trump and DeSantis are pictured together at the White House in 2018
But DeSantis stood by Trump in his announcement on Wednesday, where he said civics education should lessen the polarization currently in the US by giving everyone a common foundation of values.
'No matter if your family came on the Mayflower or you became a naturalized citizen, these principles belong to you,' DeSantis said.
Under the governor's proposal, teachers who get credentialed in teaching civics would get a $3,000 bonus.
Some $16.5million would be devoted to training teachers and principals in civics education. That training would come from civics 'coaches', in-person seminars and virtual learning.
Another $6.5million would be used for developing partnerships between schools and governments in an effort to get students interested in public service.
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