State Rep. Alex Andrade shared the beginning of his speech on slavery that got cut out of video shown on Twitter and reported by Rolling Stone.
- Before the clip, the lawmaker said, “Members, no one is saying that slavery benefited or was good or had any positive side effects. “
During the floor debate regarding CS/HB 1291, Andrade read from the approved lessons regarding slavery (red highlight covers what was missing from the video):
“Next section, explain the effect of the cotton industry on the expansion of slavery due to Eli Whitney’s cotton gin. Benchmark instruction includes the use of a map to show westward expansion of the slave trade.
“Third section, examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves including agricultural work, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing and transportation. And right below that in the clarification, it states instruction includes how slaves develop skills, which in some instances could be applied for their personal benefit.
“Members, no one is saying that slavery benefited or was good or had any positive side effects. There is only one way to teach about slavery in Florida and that it was evil. But if we can’t have an honest discussion – say that some slaves were paid for their work and were able to actually get a portion of payment that slave owners received for their labor, then we’re afraid of teaching accurate history.
“If you were not aware that some slaves received payment, not payment that was good, not payment that was valid, not payment that was moral. But if we can’t even have that discussion in this room, what hope do we have to teach and actually agree on facts? What hope do we have that history is not being distorted?
“It’s not a focus. This is a 223-page document. But if you’re afraid of facts, if you’re outraged by facts, what hope do we have for our kids?”
What is CS/HB 1291?
Prohibits courses and curriculum of teacher preparation programs, postsecondary educator preparation institutes, professional learning certification programs, and school leader preparation programs from distorting significant historical events or including
a curriculum or instruction that teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.
- The Florida House on Friday passed a HB 1291 by a 81-31 vote.
Dig Deeper:
Andrade texted, “I was debating against the argument that it’s wrong to tell the stories of slaves who bought their freedom, and the fact that Frederick Douglass talks about how he was a skilled laborer before he escaped in his autobiography.”
He shared this from Frederick Douglas’ autobiography:
