Reaching For the Truth

When conservative political leaders in some state legislatures started passing laws that severely limited what teachers/instructors could say in classes about the history of Black Americans, it ignited a fire that was not about to be put out. We all remember what Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis did when he literally changed the way students in classrooms would gain their knowledge of the struggles of Black people during the time of slavery. Not only during the period of slavery but the decades that followed all the way up to the Civil Rights Movement. Some time ago when The Monroe Dispatch began to report on the efforts to whitewash Black history, this reporter suggested that if the truth couldn’t come through the classrooms, the church had to get the leaders to see that the truth was told. It now appears that a fire has indeed been lit in the state that started it all. Churches and community groups are coming together as they begin a Herculean/Goliath effort to ensure that Black children (and others also) learn of the truth from books that are not “state approved” or banned from school curricula or library shelves. Gov. DeSantis said that he took those measures to ensure that there would be “no indoctrination” of the children, but when it was suggested that teaching about the “benefits” that Blacks derived from slavery was somehow acceptable. But now, a group called Faith in Florida (FIF), led by Pastor Rhonda Thomas is seeking to change that by launching a toolkit made up of guides, videos, and reading material, all designed to support faith leaders, community groups, and any groups that is committed to teaching Black history and Black culture. It is important that Black people, whether students or adults, get their knowledge through the classroom and through books written by well-known Black authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between The World and Me”. Groups that join FIF can take the movement or call it “the struggle” to new heights it is not state-sanctioned, but there would be nothing that the state could do about it because this is a First Amendment right of free speech. Plus, we all know the great importance that the church has played in the struggle for Black rights in this nation as it supported the civil rights groups that walked in the streets so that the truth could be told. DeSantis has already vowed that he wants to “transform” America into what he is doing/has done in Florida. He has to catch Donald Trump first, but he “can’t shake the mouse”, as the lawsuit against him is ongoing. But in the meantime, there have been 290 congregations in Florida registered for the toolkits with the hope of 500 churches across the state joining. Thomas also said that there are churches and other groups in several states that have shown interest that are led by white leaders and even Muslims have expressed an interest. That is important said Thomas because book banning is seen as a first resort in an effort to decide what should go in libraries and what teachers are allowed to bring into the classroom. It is extremely unlikely that all students in each state will be reached through FIF, but the effort is being put forth for the truth to be heard and taught. No one is “being forced” to hear that Black people didn’t derive any “economic benefits” from slavery or that Black people got on those slave boats as immigrants coming to America to work, but many have been told that America was founded as “a Christian” nation, which is not the truth. Just as there are groups within communities that see it as their mission to protect young minds from what they say is indoctrination in the classroom and the poisoning of their minds by banning books, there are now counter-groups being formed. Which is fought more vigorously than the other if it doesn’t suit a certain agenda, the truth or a lie? Which one stays in the dark for a certain period of time, but is always brought to the light? Which one would Jesus have (not force) you to accept? A different alternative is now within reach. Remember the world is watching. So is God.