Florida’s “Freedom Schools” empower black youth with history

By Reverend Dr. RB Holmes Jr.,& Chairman Teaching Our Own History “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 We have launched a statewide task force in conjunction with the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., Reverend Dr. Carl Johnson, President, to demand that the governor of Florida and the State Department of Education teach Black history accurately, factually, and forthrightly. In the spirit of Dr. King, in the State of Florida, we organized a task force labeled, “Teaching Our Own History.” Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, encouraged us to not sit idly by and allow this system to “mis”-educate Black people. Our Task Force will present to the government a comprehensive curriculum that correctly and effectively teaches Africa and African American history to students in Florida’s public schools.  Moreover, we will develop forty (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...