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.
Posts tagged as “African American”
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.
Juneteenth is a national holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States, celebrated by communities for over a century. This year, CBS News will host a special marathon of BET's "America In Black" series to commemorate the day. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the freedom and resilience of African Americans, and to recognize the long and difficult struggle for civil rights in the United States.
Key takeaways: The Supreme Court made a 5-4 decision to strike down Alabama’s congressional map, ruling that it had diluted the power of Black voters.…
President Joe Biden is expected to announce the nomination of Air Force Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown Jr. to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the first African American to serve in both the Pentagon’s top military and civilian positions. Brown is a history-making fighter pilot with deep knowledge of China and is currently the commander of the Pacific Air Forces. If confirmed, he will take over from Gen. Mark Milley, who held the job during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol and the deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for Florida, warning travelers of the state's "openly hostile" attitude towards African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization has accused Governor Ron DeSantis of attempting to erase Black history and restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools. The NAACP is urging travelers to be aware of the hostile environment in Florida and to consider other destinations, as well as contact their elected officials to demand action.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge brought by South Carolina Republican officials seeking to overturn a lower court ruling that found their redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The case could have major implications for the future of redistricting in South Carolina and could set a precedent for how states draw congressional district lines across the country. If successful, the challenge could lead to a new map being drawn in the coming months and more legal challenges to gerrymandering in other states.