Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to appear on NBC News or MSNBC until one of the network hosts apologized for what he acknowledged were “inaccurate” statements about the Republican hardliner’s views on how black history should be taught.
DeSantis has drawn criticism for his administration’s rejection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses on Black history offered to high schools nationwide, prompting accusations that the governor is trying to destroy history — especially along with the so-called “Stop.” WOKE Act.” Passed last year, the act was seen as a tool to prevent the teaching of systemic inequality.
During an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris that aired last week, Andrea Mitchell, chief Washington correspondent for NBC News, said DeSantis did not want “slavery and the consequences of slavery” to be taught in Florida schools.
The statement was inaccurate, but Mitchell didn’t immediately correct himself, and neither did Harris.
On Wednesday, Mitchell added a postscript to the interview:
“In my interview last Friday with Vice President Harris, I inaccurately summarized Governor DeSantis’s position on teaching slavery in schools. Governor DeSantis is not opposed to teaching the facts of slavery in schools, but he is opposed to the teaching of the African-American studies curriculum, as well as the use of several authors and the source material that historians and teachers say makes all of this impossible.students understand the broader historical and political context behind slavery and its consequences in those years.
DeSantis’ press secretary, Bryan Griffin, demanded an apology from Mitchell for the initial overstatement.
“I think we need to take a step back. There will be no consideration of anything related to NBC Universal or its affiliates until at least Andrea Mitchell corrects the lies she has told about the governor … statement posted to his Twitter page.
The Florida Department of Education stated that the AP courses “have no educational value” and are “not clearly contrary to Florida law.”
When the College Board, which administers the AP course, then released the official curriculum of the course, it was accused of removing references to Black feminism and Black gay culture to appease conservatives. The College Board denied the claims, saying it had not been cowed.