Historian Levels Kamala Harris, Schools Her on African American History
An actual historian of black history has taught Vice President Kamala Harris a much-needed lesson.
Kevin D. Roberts, who holds a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Texas, defended Florida’s embattled history standards against Harris’ frivolous criticism.
On Friday, Roberts tweeted a series of comments endorsing the new standards.
“The outcry over Florida’s African American History standards is absurd. That happens to be my academic field as a historian; I use to write extensively — including curriculum standards — on the topic. So I took some time to review Florida’s. The bottom line: they are excellent,” Roberts wrote.
1/9 The outcry over Florida’s African American History standards is absurd. That happens to be my academic field as a historian; I use to write extensively—including curriculum standards—on the topic. So I took some time to review Florida’s. The bottom line: they are excellent.
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
Florida officials announced the state’s new history standards on July 19. The controversy over those standards began two days later when Harris, in a speech delivered in Jacksonville, Florida, accused state officials of trying to “replace history with lies.”
“Middle school students in Florida [are] to be told that enslaved people benefited from slavery,” Harris added.
Here the vice president referred to a single line in the new curriculum. “Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit,” the new standards said.
Critics blasted Harris for her obvious exaggeration.
Meanwhile, in a social-media post on Wednesday, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida appeared to echo Harris’ criticism.
“The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasn’t the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this,” Donalds tweeted.
The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasn’t the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this.https://t.co/muq8zi1p85
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) July 26, 2023
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida responded by defending the new standards and accusing Donalds of siding with Harris.
Roberts, who now serves as president of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, brought a sensible perspective to this manufactured controversy.
For instance, Roberts noted that the new standards require emphasis on “heroic people who fought oppression.”
2/9 In my experience as a historian of African American history, Florida’s standards actually are a model for other states. They are comprehensive in topics covered, do not shy away from difficult topics, and—as history should—use examples of heroic people who fought oppression.
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
3/9 For example, FL’s standards state: “Instructional materials shall include the vital contributions of African Americans to build & strengthen American society and celebrate the inspirational stories of African Americans who prospered, even in the most difficult circumstances.”
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
As for the line that Harris — and even Donalds — found objectionable, Roberts called it “wholly accurate.”
“Some slaves, in some circumstances, were able to earn money that some even used to purchase their freedom,” Roberts added.
4/9 The controversial section—”Instruction includes how slaves developed skills, which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit”—is wholly accurate. Some slaves, in some circumstances, were able to earn money that some even used to purchase their freedom.
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
Furthermore, the fact that some slaves developed beneficial skills does not mean that slavery benefited them. Instead, according to Roberts, “it shows the amazing, heroic perseverance of enslaved people amid an evil system.”
5/9 In no way does mentioning that “personal benefit” for some slaves, in some instances, amount to defending slavery or making slavery sound better–rather, it shows the amazing, heroic perseverance of enslaved people amid an evil system.
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
Roberts then cited an NPR interview with Dr. William B. Allen, a black historian who wrote the standards. In the interview, Allen noted Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass as examples of former slaves whose remarkable lives illustrated the truth of the new standards.
6/9 The author of the standards, African American historian Dr. William B. Allen–former chairman of the U.S. Commission of Ciivl Rights–said as much in an interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep, who himself acknowledged that Allen was “correct.”https://t.co/wTL12EAxAC
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
7/9 Dr. Allen, in response to criticism about the “personal benefit” phrase: “When I look at that language, I see what Booker T. Washington meant when he entitled his autobiography “Up From Slavery” rather than “Down In Slavery.”
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
8/9 Dr. Allen continued: “I see what Douglass meant when he described his slave mistress teaching him to read only at the beginning because his owner put a stop to it. But that small glimmer of light was enough to inspire him to turn it into a burning flame of illumination…”
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
Finally, Roberts dismissed the new standards’ critics as politically motivated and then praised DeSantis.
9/9 This controversy about FL’s history standards has nothing to do with history, which is accurately & beautifully captured. Rather, it’s all about politics and trying to knee-cap one of conservatism’s leaders. God bless @GovRonDeSantis for his courage amid this ridiculous fire.
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) July 28, 2023
Roberts’ string of comments highlighted the controversy’s true meaning.
For instance, the debate over one line in Florida’s new history standards does involve politics. But it involves much more than ordinary election-related nonsense.
Harris represents those who want to reduce American history to a story of unyielding oppression.
Roberts, Allen, and DeSantis, on the other hand, acknowledge this oppression but insist that students should learn the full context of America’s founding, which includes a struggle for liberty in which people of every skin color took part.
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