‘The Teaching Our Own History’ task force

The Teaching Our Own History task force demands that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the State Department of Education teach Black history accurately, factually, and forthrightly. 

BY REV. DR.  RB HOLMES, JR. | Contributor

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such, I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” — Malcolm X

TALLAHASSEE — The Teaching Our Own History task force has launched a statewide committee in conjunction with Rev. Dr. Carl Johnson, president of the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., to demand that the governor of Florida and the State Department of Education teach Black history accurately, factually, and forthrightly.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, encouraged us not to sit idly by and allow this system to “mis”-educate Black people. The task force, to which I am the chairman, will present to the government a comprehensive curriculum that correctly and effectively teaches African and African-American history to students in Florida’s public schools. Moreover, we will develop 40 plus “Freedom Schools” by 2025. We will not sit idly by and allow any governor to erase the accurate teaching of Black history.

The objectives of “The Teaching Our Own History” task force are as follows:

1. To encourage the accurate and unbiased teaching of African-American history, culture, experiences and invaluable contributions in the state of Florida and this nation
2. To develop strategies and solutions to support and strengthen public education in marginalized communities
3. To develop and adequately support 40 Freedom Academies across the state of Florida
4. To create significant after-school programs for students in Title One schools in marginalized communities across the state of Florida, using an age-appropriate African-American History curriculum to strengthen reading, writing and mathematics skills
5. To create summer “Freedom Schools” to teach youth the importance of African-American contributions, self-respect and personal responsibility
6. To empower and encourage the three private HBCUs in Florida to develop laboratory schools on their respective campuses by 2025
7. To cultivate and create partnerships with foundations, businesses, and philanthropists to support programs and events that consistently celebrate the contributions of African-American history, culture, literature, faith, and heritage

We all must redouble our efforts to fight for social justice, voting rights, civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dismantling programs of diversity, equity, and inclusion are shameful and insulting.

Over the next several weeks, selected “The Teaching Our Own History” task force members will publish articles for dissemination through The National Black Press, addressing the critical components of teaching our history. I encourage our readers to enthusiastically engage in meaningful discussions in their various constituent groups and organizations as we speak “truth to power.”