Politicization of Public Education: Calls to Boycott Conferences in Florida Due to Censorship
As Florida continues to enact censored versions of African-American History, educators are urging their colleagues with large online followings and education organizations to speak out and boycott the State by refusing to host conferences and other professional development convening there. However, educators in Florida are vocalizing their concerns for generalizing the population, arguing that Florida educators need support as they fight their current administration.
- “After attacking the AP Black History course, FL has turned its attention to its own Black History standards for K-12. It’s part of what Dr. Robin D.G. Kelley called the long war on Black studies.” —Educator in New Jersey
- “7 hrs, 124 views. Sending it again. The thing about slavery teaching slaves skills that benefitted them. The thing about Florida’s curriculum changes. Things about denial of history. And…” —Educator, N/A
- “’Very troubling vote in Florida and their new and separate ‘standards’ for teaching Black history. Why parents (voting citizens) think this is accurate or helpful to their communities eludes me.” —Teacher in Virginia
- “Florida curriculum on slavery is an obscene revision of Black history.” —High School Teacher in California
- “Florida is ridiculous! Governor DeSantis and his clown friends in power want to rewrite history and say slavery was good and Black people benefited. I’m done!” —Educator in Washington, D.C.
- “Abandon Florida. Boycott. No more education or edtech conferences there.” —Educator in Mississippi
- “The silence of EduCelebs on the moves to gaslight students about the realities of slavery is LOUD this morning.” —Elementary Educator in Georgia
- “I’m still disgusted that the NEA chose to still hold their national conference in Florida this summer.” —Math Teacher, N/A
- “How many Edu conferences, PD and speaking engagements are scheduled in Florida in the coming months. How many edu celebs will cancel those engagements?” —Educator in Canada
- “Alright, I have to say it. I’m seeing folks boycott going to states like Florida and Texas for conferences. 100% fair. But what I don’t like seeing is people stating that ALL folks who live in those states are 100% down with what’s going on. It couldn’t be farther from the truth.” —STEM Educator in Florida
- “I recently encountered ‘all Floridians are stupid’ rhetoric surrounding a conference I will attend. Not only are we apparently all stupid, but anyone who attends the conference ‘is stupid and must support whatever D*Santis does’ (their words)” —STEM Educator in Florida
- “First of all, what the heck kind of mental gymnastics does somebody have to go through in order to say that everyone who lives in one place supports everything that one person does? When has that ever happened, where EVERYONE is 100% all in, including newcomers and children?” —STEM Educator in Florida
- “Second, let’s not forget that being vetted for and/or attending a conference is a pretty delicate financial science. Sometimes people can only afford to go to what’s close to them…which very well may be in certain states. So while some of y’all keyboard warriors are…” —STEM Educator in Florida
- “Just tacking onto the end of people’s posts completely unprompted, when they’re announcing they’re genuinely interested in attending a conference and you go into attack mode…what’s your endgame? Because I’m out here volunteering and attending school board meetings.” —STEM Educator in Florida
- “In fact, many of us do. Many of us are actively fighting against the nonsense that goes on DAILY. And for those who are just trying to survive in the midst of *gestures to the state of the world*, we’re fighting for them, too.” —STEM Educator in Florida
- “And one of the WORST anti LGBTQIA school board laws was passed in CALIFORNIA. These ‘progressive’ states are one election away from madness themselves.” —World Language Teacher in Georgia
- “Thank you for saying this……. states like Florida were not always like this (outside of ed in the last 15+ years): and the pros often outweighed the negatives. part of me wants to leave, but part of me says to stay and continue the fight (plus hubs has several more yrs till vested)” —Educator in Florida
- “I recently encountered ‘all Floridians are stupid’ rhetoric surrounding a conference I will attend. Not only are we apparently all stupid, but anyone who attends the conference ‘is stupid and must support whatever D*Santis does’ (their words)” —STEM Educator in Florida