Vice President Kamala Harris was recently in Orlando for the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Women’s Missionary Society Quadrennial Convention, but she made news by dismissing a debate invitation from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Well, I’m here in Florida,” Vice President Kamala Harris said to applause from Florida Democrats. “And I will tell you, there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: there were no redeeming qualities of slavery.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis was ready for a face-to-face with Vice President Harris over Florida’s new African American history curriculum that mentions “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” The Republican presidential candidate is also hoping the political jabs will help his national campaign.
The Vice President also traveled to Jacksonville, where she alleged Florida officials “want to replace history with lies,” calling them “extremist” leaders who were pushing “propaganda to our children.”
The Republican Governor accused the Vice President of trying to “demagogue” about Florida’s new standards.
“Our state pushed forward nation-leading standalone African American History standards – one of the only states in the nation to require this level of learning about such an important subject,” the governor wrote in a letter to Harris. “One would think the White House would applaud such boldness in teaching the unique and important story of African American History. But you have instead attempted to score cheap political points and label Florida parents ‘extremists.’ It’s past time to set the record straight.”
Florida Democrats are also using the issue against the Governor, and likely the legislature in upcoming state campaigns.
“The Biden-Harris administration understands that we are on the front lines of the fight for freedom and democracy – not just for Florida, but for the entire country – as our state attempts to rewrite American history,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said.
The Florida Legislative Black Caucus also responded to Governor DeSantis’ challenge to the Vice President.
