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DeSantis has been criticized for attempting to “rewrite history.”

Recently, the Florida Board of Education, with Governor Ron DeSantis’ approval, moved to reject an Advanced Placement course on African American studies proposed by the College Board. The class is meant to explore the history and contributions of Black individuals in the United States and the world, but was rejected by the board due to a “lack of educational value.”

This decision has been met with widespread condemnation from not just Florida Democrats, but lawmakers, activists, and students from across the entire United States.

“One Governor should not have the power to dictate the facts of US history,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in letter to the College Board.

“When we censor classes and whitewash lesson plans, we harm our students and do them a deep disservice,” tweeted Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association. “I support the educators at Florida’s state capitol today to demand complete and honest education for all Florida students.”

College Board to revise AP African American studies class rejected by DeSantis https://t.co/Sq2FETP0wV pic.twitter.com/3CRp80rg3E

— The Hill (@thehill) January 26, 2023

“The move to censor topics like intersectionality, the movement for Black lives, and reparations is nothing more than an assault on African-American history and worldviews – effectively whitesplaining topics that are integral to the development of American history, culture, and identity,” Ivory Toldson, director of education innovation and research for the NAACP, wrote in an op-ed.

The College Board will be releasing a revised version of the course plan for the Florida Education Board’s consideration on February 1.