On “The View,” co-host Ana Navarro passionately expressed her outrage over Florida’s new curriculum on slavery, calling it “bulls–t” and criticizing Governor Ron DeSantis for creating a divisive cultural environment. Despite DeSantis claiming no involvement in the curriculum, Navarro argued that he was responsible for the divisive atmosphere that led to it.
Navarro condemned the updated standards that suggested enslaved people benefited from slavery, stating that it whitewashes one of the darkest moments in American history. She expressed dismay at the Florida Commissioner of Education, Manny Diaz, who, being a Cuban American, should understand the importance of freedom. She accused DeSantis of resorting to lying and creating culture wars to gain political points but warned that it won’t make him a successful presidential candidate.
Other co-hosts, including Alyssa Farah Griffin, Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, and Sunny Hostin, also criticized Florida and DeSantis. Hostin pointed out that by downplaying the history of slavery, the curriculum ignores Jim Crow, Reconstruction, sundown laws, the wealth gap, and ongoing inequalities that persist today.
Goldberg condemned DeSantis as a disgrace and stressed the significance of acknowledging America’s history, including the painful legacy of slavery, so that such mistakes are not repeated. She emphasized that many stories have been passed down through generations, and it’s crucial to respect and preserve this historical knowledge.
Vice President Harris also spoke out against the curriculum during a speech in Jacksonville, Florida, denouncing the attempt to gaslight and insult the public by presenting a skewed version of history.
On the other hand, defenders of DeSantis argue that critics are cherry-picking one line from a comprehensive curriculum to discredit the entire effort. They assert that the curriculum covers various aspects related to slavery, including conditions during the passage to America and the harsh conditions on plantations, and argue that Harris is using the issue for political gain.