While some politicians have tried to limit what students can learn when it comes to America’s history, Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) has been advocating for a fuller teaching of Black history in Florida’s schools for years. We sat down with her recently to discuss why this issue is so important to her and why students need to be taught Black history year-round, not just on special occasions like Dr. King’s birthday or Black History Month.

Episode 14 Show Notes:

Guest

Show Resources

Transcript

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GuestRep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) 

Resources HB 51 Required Instruction in the History of the Holocaust and the History of African AmericansSome schools may not be teaching African American history or other courses required by law but there’s no consequences (Florida Phoenix) Florida School District Curriculum Reports Show Gaps In Black History Education (2020) (WUFT) HB 233 Academic Freedom Survey 

Transcript[00:00:00]Andrew Spar, FEA President: Hi, this is FEA President Andrew Spar. To stay on top of all the latest news and issues impacting our public schools. Be sure to follow FEA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information on this podcast, visit feaweb.org/podcast.[00:00:17]Sharon Nesvig, announcer: You're listening to Educating from the Heart. Thank you for joining our lively conversations with teachers, support professionals, parents and students, as they share issues that matter most in our public schools. Here are your hosts, Tina Dunbar and Luke Flynt.[00:00:43] Sen. James Hargett: One of the greatest privileges I've had as a state Senator in the state of Florida is to have a participated along with Representative Bradley in sponsoring the legislation to require the teaching of African-American history in the schools of Florida. I believe that it will help our young people in the state know their history. As I stated on the floor in the Senate, you can't know where you're going, unless you know where you're coming from. I also believe that you can't teach the history of America truly without teaching the history of African-Americans as a central part of it. And for that reason, I'm very proud to participate.[00:01:28] Tina Dunbar, Host: Those are the words of former state Senator James Hargett who sponsored the 1994 legislation requiring Florida schools to add African-American history to the curriculum. Welcome to Educating from the Heart I'm Tina Dunbar with my cohost Luke Flynt.So, Luke, we began the last episode with a history lesson. So let's start this one with a quick quiz. What do you think about that? Well, you know, you can't work in education without a few assessments here and there. What do you remember learning about African-American history in school? I grew up in another state. And when I think about it, most of my learning came from my family and from within my community. I don't remember learning a lot about African-American contributions to American history in school.I do remember learning a few names and a focus on Egypt and the pyramids. But there was no reference to the significance of Egypt being in the continent of Africa, which I see as a total disconnect because African-Americans have a significant past, and we continue to play an important role in shaping American history today. Wouldn’t you agree?[00:02:48] Luke Flynt, Host: You know, Tina, there is so much that I appreciate about the great public education I received in Indian River County. And I am proud to be a member of the Vero Beach High School Class of 1998. When I look back at my schooling, there is no doubt that I received a sanitized, you know, maybe even a whitewashed version of history.