Vice President Kamala Harris visited Jacksonville, Florida on Friday to speak out against the state’s controversial new standards for teaching Black history in schools.
Harris criticized the Florida Board of Education’s decision to adopt a curriculum that instructs educators to teach children about “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
“How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization?” Harris asked. “They want to replace history with lies.”
Harris delivered her remarks at the Ritz Theater and Museum, where she was joined by newly inaugurated Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and other local leaders.
“When we think about it part of true patriotism means fighting for a nation that will be better for each generation to come,” Harris said. “We want to know we are sending our children out as role models of a democracy who therefore know the importance of speaking and telling truth.”
Harris said the state’s new standards are part of a “national agenda” to whitewash Black history and prevent students from learning the full and true history of America.
“They are creating these unnecessary debates. This is unnecessary to debate whether enslaved people benefited from slavery. Are you kidding me? Are we supposed to debate that?” Harris said.
The vice president also praised the efforts of activists and educators who have been challenging the state’s decision and advocating for more inclusive and accurate history education.
“You are doing God’s work,” Harris said. “You are doing the work of patriots.”
