Florida's Controversial History Standards: Defending Slavery or Policy Violence?

Civil rights leaders and activists are criticizing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for what they perceive as a pattern of "policy violence" against people of color, including the recent release of an "anti-woke" public school curriculum on Black history. The curriculum requires teachers to instruct middle-school students that enslaved people "developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." DeSantis has defended the curriculum, insisting that his critics are misinterpreting it. However, his approach risks alienating conservative supporters and undermining his core message as he seeks the presidency in 2024.