Florida GOP Rep. Donalds pushes back on new state slavery learning standard

The only Black Republican member of Florida’s congressional delegation is pushing back against a newly-adopted teaching standard that requires middle schoolers learn that some African Americans benefited from slavery.

“The attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a sophomore Republican and former state representative, wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.

Florida’s new teaching standards faced a huge backlash since approved last week, with Democrats and civil rights leaders condemning the state and the DeSantis administration. Vice President Kamala Harris last week visited Jacksonville to castigate Florida’s education officials while civil rights leaders hinted this week that they may sue the state.

The Florida Department of Education adopted new teaching standard for middle schoolers to learn that “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” The standard will be in a new Black history curriculum for Florida students.

The state education department defended the standards by asserting that they provide a comprehensive view of American history and show how slaves overcame horrendous conditions and weren’t just victims.  

Donalds said in his tweet that the new African-American learning standards generally are “robust” and “accurate." He added that highlighting the benefits of slavery "wasn't the goal."

"I have faith that FLDOE will correct this," Donalds said.