In a heated debate over new middle school instruction standards on Black history in Florida, GOP Representative Byron Donalds, the state's sole Black member of Congress, has expressed criticism of a particular clause that has sparked controversy. The controversial clause states that slaves developed skills which, in some cases, could be applied for their personal benefit. Donalds took to social media to voice his concerns, asserting that while he believes the overall standards are accurate and robust, highlighting the personal benefits of slavery is fundamentally wrong and needs to be adjusted.

However, Donalds' criticism has drawn backlash from allies of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who have attempted to associate Donalds with Vice President Kamala Harris, who also criticized the new standards. The move seems to be an effort to undermine Donalds' stance on the issue by linking him with a political figure who is also against the guidelines. In response to these attacks, Donalds clarified that those who are misinterpreting his statements are being disingenuous.

Florida's education commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr., has come forward to defend the new standards and question Donalds' conservatism. Diaz emphasized that the state will not back down from teaching the nation's true history and argued that the standards accurately reflect that history.

Governor DeSantis himself has also defended the new standards, comparing them to language found in an Advanced Placement African American Studies course framework. However, DeSantis has distanced himself from the creation of the guidelines, stating that he was not directly involved.

The changes to the Black history instruction standards came into effect after DeSantis signed the controversial “Stop-WOKE” law, which aims to protect students and workers from discrimination. The law has faced criticism for its potential to stifle discussions on racial issues.

In a recent speech, Vice President Kamala Harris joined the chorus of voices speaking out against the changes to Black history instruction. Harris accused the new standards of being insulting and gaslighting, further fueling the ongoing debate.

Amidst the controversy, Jason Miller, a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump, praised Representative Donalds for speaking out against the standards, adding another layer of support to his stance.

The debate over the new middle school instruction standards on Black history in Florida continues to intensify, with various stakeholders expressing their views on the matter. As the discussion unfolds, it remains to be seen whether any adjustments will be made to the controversial clause or if the standards will remain as they are.