Harris speaks with Florida teachers on replacing ‘history with lies,’ DeSantis’ office fires back

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Vice President Kamala Harris said she spoke with educators who “simply want to teach the truth without fear of losing their jobs” during her visit to Florida over the state’s new African American history standards.

The new standards drew controversy over a provision teaching that slaves gained some skills during captivity that later served as personal benefits.

The creators of the standards responded to criticisms last week, saying “the intent of this particular benchmark clarification is to show that some slaves developed highly specialized trades from which they benefitted.”

“The same extremists who ban books in our schools now want to replace history with lies,” Harris said.

A video released by the vice president shows some Florida educators discussing their thoughts and experiences with the new push to rid the education system of “woke” “indoctrination.”

“It’s a travesty,” one said.

“Politicians are telling you what to teach,” Harris said. “To tell you to push propaganda … it’s so outrageous!”

“Teachers are in a tough spot,” another said. “We’re also in fear of not having a job.”

“Huge teacher shortage […] They need the safety and security to say, ‘I can come into the classroom and I can teach without fear of someone telling on me, and me losing my certificate,'” one said.

One teacher told Harris there needs to be a “break” allowing teachers to “truly do what we want to do – and that’s educate.”

“You all are holding it down,” Harris concluded. “I know it’s not easy.”

At the end of the video, one educator pleaded with Harris that her and President Joe Biden “don’t give up on us [teachers].”

“That’s why I’m here,” Harris replied.

Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ press secretary, fired back at the vice president.

“Day 10: Kamala Harris calls parents extremists for removing inappropriate material from their children’s schools,” he said. “School is for education, not indoctrination, and parents have a right to direct the upbringing of their kids.”

“The Harris-Biden Administration is still angry that @RonDeSantis removed pornographic books from school libraries,” said the DeSantis War Room, a social media arm of DeSantis’ presidential campaign.