WATCH: MSNBC host walks back ‘imprecise’ claim DeSantis doesn’t want slavery taught
Julia Johnson
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At the end of Wednesday’s episode of Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC, Mitchell addressed a remark she made about Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) not wanting slavery taught in Florida schools.
“I was imprecise in summarizing Gov. DeSantis’s position about teaching slavery in schools. Gov. DeSantis has not opposed to teaching the fact of slavery,” Mitchell said.
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However, she also added that DeSantis “has opposed the teaching of an African American Studies curriculum, as well as the use of some authors and source materials that historians and teachers say makes it all but impossible for students to understand the broader historic and political context behind slavery and its aftermath in the years since.”
She made the initial claim about DeSantis during an interview last week with Vice President Kamala Harris. “What does Gov. Ron DeSantis not know about black history and the black experience when he says that slavery and the aftermath of slavery should not be taught to Florida school children?” she asked Harris.
Harris responded by saying, “Any push to censor America’s teachers and tell them what they should be teaching in the best interests of our children in partnership with the parents of America is, I think, wrong-headed.”
“It should not be some politician saying what should be taught in our classrooms,” the vice president added.
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Last month, DeSantis drew the ire of Democratic politicians and some media after he blocked an Advanced Placement African American Studies course in the state. According to his administration, the course was “inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.”
“If the course comes into compliance and incorporates historically accurate content, the Department will reopen the discussion,” Florida Education Department press secretary Cassie Palelis told the Washington Examiner.