A Precedent Set: Understanding the Florida Assault on Academic Freedom Targeting Black History and the Impact on Leadership Development

Abstract:

Black history is American history. Most of the United States acknowledges this important fact, if sometimes begrudgingly. It is well known that the nation was largely built on the backs of slaves and the highly lucrative slave trade, a direct result of which, historically, has been the systemic marginalization of the Black community.

Although numerous brilliant Black minds arose out of the horrors of slavery, disregarding historical facts of how the United States became what it is today is a direct assault on academic freedom in the educational system. Furthermore, withholding knowledge can have prejudicial effects for generations, dismantling civil rights measures, reversing progress, and weakening leadership development. Florida’s legislation requires K–12 teachers and corporations to omit important parts of Black history to avoid psychological distress in the white community. This article explores how these laws can harm informed discernment in leadership development and set a concerning precedent for more restrictions of academic freedom.

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