ATLANTA – State Representatives Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) today issued the following statements in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and urge state leaders to protect Black history curriculum in K-12 classrooms:
“Yesterday was the first day of school for Clayton County students,” said Rep. Burnough. “The teachers and students entered their school with enthusiasm to start a new year of learning. I join Vice President Harris in her efforts to stand up for our educators and students. K-12 education must not be high jacked by so-called ‘leaders’ who want to keep American children from learning about their country’s full history.”
“There is no American history without Black history,” said Rep. Scott. “I want to thank Vice President Harris for telling the world that Blacks struggled and suffered during slavery. There was nothing nice, and we must remember women were raped, Black men were beaten and hanged, and babies were taken from their families. Unfortunately, some state leaders are working to keep children from being taught the truth about American history. The promotion of a narrative that suggests slaves benefited from their enslavement is not only inaccurate, but it is also disrespectful to the suffering endured by those enslaved and their descendants. It is essential for leaders to approach history with sensitivity and ensure that educational materials reflect the full and accurate scope of historical events, particularly when it comes to sensitive and painful topics like slavery.”
“As a veteran, hailing from a lineage of veterans, it is our sacred duty to wage a noble struggle in safeguarding our Black history for the sake of future generations,” said Rep. Davis. “Slavery is an abomination. Florida’s restrictive curriculum is unconstitutional, denies the truth and perpetuates historical amnesia. Having been a litigant in the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, I am compelled to pass on the untold truths missing from Florida’s new curriculum, such as the state seceding from the Union during the Civil War and opposing the integration of classrooms. Only by confronting our past and acknowledging painful chapters of history can we forge a path towards unity, justice and an enlightened future.”
“I stand firm in defense of teaching Black history in our schools and categorically reject the recent actions taken by Florida’s conservative leaders to promote the fallacious notion that slavery was a benefit,” said Rep. Schofield. “Here in Georgia, we will stop any attempt to thwart truthful teachings about slavery. We must protect the freedom to learn. The historical impact and lived experiences of slavery will never be erased. We also demand that our neighbors in Florida own and teach America’s full and true history. I stand with Vice President Harris and reject any state’s attempt to introduce new education standards that would teach students that enslaved people benefited from slavery and undermines any and all forms of family’s descendants.”
Representative Rhonda Burnough represents the citizens of District 77, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Governmental Affairs, Higher Education and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
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