The governing district of Walt Disney World, now controlled by appointees of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has abolished diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as initiatives that awarded contracts based on goals of achieving racial or gender parity. The district's new administrator, Glenton Gilzean, expressed his disappointment with the decision, noting that such initiatives are important for creating a more equitable and inclusive environment. Critics argue that these programs are essential for promoting fairness and equality in the workplace.
Posts tagged as “African American”
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for the state's new Black history curriculum, which requires students to teach students about the "benefits" of slavery. This has sparked debate over the role of slavery in American history and the role of the government in determining what should be taught in schools. Sen. Scott has argued that there is no silver lining in slavery and that everyone should appreciate this.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and GOP Representative Byron Donalds of Florida have both criticized Florida's new public school standards that teach that some Black people benefited from slavery. Scott said that there is no silver lining in slavery, while Donalds praised the new African-American standards in Florida, calling them "good, robust, and accurate." This controversy highlights the importance of teaching accurate and comprehensive history in public schools and serves as a reminder that slavery was a horrific institution.
At the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised African leaders tens of thousands of tons of free grain in an attempt to appease the international community and improve Russia's image in the region. The free grain announcement follows criticism of Russia's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, which has caused a disruption in the global food supply chain. The summit was attended by 21 African leaders, with notable absentees including the leaders of several large African nations.
The Florida Board of Education recently released a set of educational standards that direct teachers to instruct students about the skills enslaved people developed and the violence perpetrated against and by African Americans. The standards have been met with criticism from both sides of the aisle, with some arguing that they are an attempt to downplay the horrors of slavery and others arguing that they are necessary to provide a more comprehensive understanding of African American history. The debate over the standards is likely to continue as the 2022 law approaches.
The Florida Board of Education has approved a set of academic standards for African American social studies classes in K-12 schools, which has been met with criticism from Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris is expected to travel to Florida on Friday to deliver remarks in response, and the trip will highlight efforts to protect the freedom to learn and teach America's true history. Critics of the standards argue that it fails to make it necessary for students to learn about each of the contributions, challenges and stories of famous Black people.
Christine King Farris, the last living sibling of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., passed away on Thursday at the age of 98. For decades, Farris worked with her brother's widow, Coretta Scott King, to preserve and promote his legacy, and was remembered by her family and friends as a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice. Her legacy will live on through her work to preserve and promote the legacy of her brother, Martin Luther King Jr.
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester has announced her bid to replace retiring Sen. Tom Carper (D) in Delaware, making her the first woman and first African-American to represent the state in Congress. If elected, she would become the third Black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Blunt Rochester is running on a platform of economic and social justice, and has vowed to fight for the rights of all Delawareans, as well as protecting the environment and ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare.