A South Florida legislator wants to improve the way public schools in the state teach African American history. Florida law requires that students learn about African American History, but Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) doesn't think the lessons are the best they could be.
"I think next year we need to take a look at how we are teaching African American studies and from a much more holistic viewpoint in our classrooms, and that's something that I will promise all of you I will take the lead on in looking into that issue," Berman says.
Berman led a Facebook Live panel Friday on racial injustice. Panelists voiced their different concerns, including how a teacher's personal bias can impact their history lessons. Members also called for training on how to teach the required subjects. Florida passed a bill this year to better implement holocaust studies in public schools.
Veering away from a conversation on education, panelist Shirley Johnson addressed a Facebook Live question regarding George Floyd protests turning violent.
She's a long-time civil rights activist and says the rioting and looting accompanying recent protests is nothing new. Johnson says there will always be what she calls, 'opportunists.'
"We have cell phones. We have cameras everywhere. Everyone who has a cellphone has a camera. That's new. There [are] videos of everybody and everything, so when you're out in the public, just know that you're being filmed. So dress your best. Be prepared. You're going to be on Facebook whether you like it or not," Johnson says.
Florida Democrats sponsored the panel to get more viewpoints on racial injustice.
