Pritzker Takes on DeSantis, College Board to Keep Black LGBTQ+ History in AP Course

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is set to battle the National College Board over what he calls the “political grandstand” by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Democrats in Chicago told the nonprofit that oversees the Advanced Placement program that Illinois would be criticized if it didn’t include “a factual account of history, including the role played by black queer Americans.” I warned that I would refuse a modified African American studies course.

Pritzker graduated from Advanced African American Studies after the governor of Florida (probably a Republican presidential candidate) blocked a Florida high school from offering the course because it contained a section on “queer theory.” Sent a sharply worded letter to the board regarding the decision to revise the placement course. Among other topics, there is such a thing as “abolition of prisons”.

It’s unclear how the course will change, or if the fix stems from Florida’s refusal, but the College Board said the new framework will be released on February 1.

Pritzker opposed the change “to comply with Florida’s racist and homophobic laws.”

“Illinois rejects curriculum changes designed to appease extremists like the governor of Florida and his supporters,” Pritzker wrote in a letter obtained by The Sun-Times.

Pritzker is believed to be a possible Democratic candidate for the White House if President Biden doesn’t seek re-election, has opposed Republicans in Florida restricting black history teachings, and has voted against Illinois’ The high school has proposed to the board to reject “watered-down” AP classes that ignore the country’s history. “A true, sometimes unpleasant history.”

Pritzker said Illinois “had the foundations of this nation built on slavery, the Civil War that this nation considered its history, decades of rebuilding and black Americans to continue their lives.” We will scrutinize every revision to ensure that we include all the necessary history, starting with our efforts.” Fight for equality and fairness to this day. ”

The governor’s office told The Sun-Times that it would reject the curriculum if it did not include the framework of “facts” detailed in Pritzker’s letter.

A Florida Department of Education official told NBC News State officials want content on topics such as critical race theory, black queer studies, and intersectionality removed.

At a news conference in Jacksonville, Florida, on Monday, DeSantis called the curriculum “Political Agenda”.

“It’s on the wrong side of Florida’s standards,” DeSantis said. “While we believe in teaching our children facts and perspectives, we believe that when we use Black history to try to impose queer theories, we shouldn’t impose an agenda on them. Clearly trying to use it for political purposes.”

The fight over the curriculum began when the Florida Department of Education wrote to the College Board on January 12 that the course was “inexplicably contrary to Florida law and grossly devoid of educational value.”

“If in the future the university board is willing to return to the table with legitimate and historically accurate content, the FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter read.

In 2021, Florida passed a law banning the teaching of critical race theory. And last year, DeSantis signed the “Stop WOKE” law. This is what limits the way schools and businesses talk about race.

Pritzker has become a frequent DeSantis critic as rumors grow about the 2024 presidential election. At a Florida Democratic conference last year, Pritzker likened DeSantis to former President Donald Trump, saying, “It’s really just Donald Trump in a mask.”

Stephanie Reynolds/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

In his speech that day, Pritzker said, “He seeks to disguise his covert racism, homophobia and misogyny as a more rational form of Trump republicanism.

Last year, Pritzker denounced DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education bill. This bill is called by many people the “Don’t Say You’re Gay” bill. The bill prohibits classroom discussion or instruction about sexual orientation and identity from kindergarten through her third grade or above. In an “age-unappropriate or developmentally-unappropriate way.”

“We can’t just watch a Republican governor launch a constant attack on the LGBTQ+ community.” Pritzker said in a tweet after the bill was enacted. “Everyone deserves to be who they really are. As long as I’m governor, Illinois will see you, support you, and welcome you with open arms.”