Community ‘teach-ins’ on Black history organized in response to Florida education restrictions

Daysha Moore, a freshman at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, is on a mission to learn more about Black history in Florida. Frustrated by the lack of comprehensive education on the subject during her high school years, Moore is now actively seeking out opportunities to expand her knowledge.

In response to the state’s restrictions on race-related education, Moore joined a group of like-minded individuals at the St. Augustine Episcopal Church for a Black History teach-in. These events have been popping up throughout the community as a way to counteract the limitations placed on teaching Black history in schools.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in St. Petersburg has been at the forefront of these efforts, hosting classes that delve into African history and culture, from slavery to segregation. ASALH President Jacqueline Hubbard emphasized the importance of teaching a more complete version of history, especially to Black children who may not be getting the full story in traditional educational settings.

Despite the challenges posed by recent legislation like the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts certain concepts from being taught in K-12 public schools, community organizations like the Freedom School are stepping up to provide a more nuanced and inclusive education on Black history. By engaging with the community and sharing knowledge, these teach-ins are not only educational but also empowering for individuals like Daysha Moore, who see them as a way to combat the erasure of Black history and find hope for a more inclusive future.