Debate over critical race theory ban centers around objective teaching of history

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Republicans advanced a proposed ban on Critical Race Theory through a second House committee Tuesday morning.

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The bill would prohibit certain concepts from being taught in Florida schools and prohibit private employers from teaching the concepts in workplace training, but Democrats are concerned true history couldn’t be taught if the bill were to become law.

Republican lawmakers argue the legislation is about expanding civil rights and prohibiting teachers and corporations from imposing regressive ideologies on their students and workers.

“Coca-Cola trained their employees and urged their employees to be quote unquote ‘less white’,” said bill sponsor Rep. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah).

The bill prohibits teaching concepts like racial superiority and advocates teaching ideals like colorblindness and meritocracy.

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But it also calls for history to be taught objectively, an idea Democrats argue isn’t always possible.

“Am I allowed to say that it’s wrong to kill a million Jews because Jews were thought of as a lesser race? Because if you read 8990 and 91 that is not objective,” said Rep. Robin Bartleman (D-Weston).

Opponents also point to language in the bill that states workers and students shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable about their race.

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UNF assistant sociology pro­­fessor Dr. Jonathan Grant said that’s an unrealistic standard, especially when discussing topics like slavery and the civil rights movement.

“You need to be discomforted you need to have sometimes the things that you may believe to be challenged at times in order to help you grow and expand and become a better human being,” said Dr. Grant.

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But the bill’s supporters argue there’s a distinction between having feelings about history and being told how to feel about history.

“Yes, we can feel bad about what others have done in America’s past, but for a child today to feel guilt for the evil of others is un-American and does not belong in the teaching of history,” said Aaron DiPietro with the Florida Family Policy Council.

The bill passed on a party-line vote and has one more committee stop in both chambers.

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