Source: Politics<\/p>\n
The bitter fight between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Byron Donalds over a line about slavery in the state\u2019s revised African American history standards is infuriating several prominent Black conservatives.<\/p>\n
Several told POLITICO they fear the issue will play into Democrats\u2019 characterization of Republicans as favoring a whitewashing of American history. Most saw it as an unforced error at the time when Black Republicans feel they\u2019ve been making significant strides within the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt raises eyebrows,\u201d said Diante Johnson, president of the Black Conservative Federation, who is supporting Donald Trump\u2019s presidential campaign. \u201cRon DeSantis is not the candidate for Black conservatives and that\u2019s what [he] constantly, constantly exhibits to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
At issue are the new education standards for how Black history is taught in Florida schools that DeSantis signed into law last year. The revised guidelines, released this month, require educators to instruct middle schoolers that \u201cslaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donalds, who largely praised the guidelines as \u201cgood, robust and accurate,\u201d took issue with the idea of \u201cpersonal benefit\u201d and said that part is \u201cwrong and needs to be adjusted.\u201d Donalds supported DeSantis for governor but has backed Trump in the presidential primary.<\/p>\n
That prompted an onslaught from the DeSantis camp. Christina Pushaw, the director of rapid response for the DeSantis presidential campaign, mused, \u201cDid Kamala Harris write this tweet?\u201d referencing the vice president\u2019s recent trip to Florida, in which she denounced the new standards.<\/p>\n
DeSantis dug in, disparaging his fellow Republican with one of the worst insults one can lob: comparing him to a Democrat. \u201cAre you going to side with Kamala Harris and liberal media outlets or are you going to side with the state of Florida?\u201d<\/p>\n
To some prominent Black Republicans, it was a DeSantis misstep. And one that comes as his campaign is attempting to jump-start its flagging operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just not a good position for the DeSantis campaign to take. And they\u2019re doubling down and that\u2019s what\u2019s even more disgusting,\u201d said the Black Conservative Federation\u2019s Johnson.<\/p>\n
In recent days, allies of former President Donald Trump rushed to Donalds\u2019 defense, characterizing the DeSantis camp pushback as a smear campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the direct descendent of a slave, I have a hard time understanding Governor DeSantis\u2019 position that transferrable skills learned in bondage are somehow a net benefit,\u201d said Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), an ally of Donalds. \u201cIf Ron DeSantis spent more time doing the job the people of Florida elected him to do and less time on his failing Presidential campaign, perhaps Florida\u2019s curriculum on slavery would more accurately reflect the pain and heartbreak experienced by millions who suffered through the original sin.\u201d<\/p>\n
For another of DeSantis\u2019 rivals in the presidential primary, the controversy provided an opening. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is among the five Black GOP members of Congress, added to the chorus of Black conservatives criticizing DeSantis for supporting Florida\u2019s revised educational standard.<\/p>\n