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Pinellas group to teach Black history as Florida limits lessons on race

The summer “Freedom School” aims to fill in where public schools fall short, with an unvarnished look at the past.
 
In this 1964 photo provided by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, people participate in activities as part of Freedom Summer. That year, scores of volunteers traveled to Mississippi to register black voters, and teach literacy and civics at "freedom schools." A program in St. Petersburg aims to replicate that model by educating students on Black history this summer.
In this 1964 photo provided by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, people participate in activities as part of Freedom Summer. That year, scores of volunteers traveled to Mississippi to register black voters, and teach literacy and civics at "freedom schools." A program in St. Petersburg aims to replicate that model by educating students on Black history this summer. [ AP ]
Published April 25, 2023|Updated April 25, 2023

It’s been nearly 60 years, but Jacqueline Hubbard still vividly recalls the Freedom Summer that found civil rights activists registering Black voters and teaching them literacy and civics in Mississippi.

As she considers the trajectory that Florida and much of the nation are on today, with laws restricting the way race-related issues are taught in schools and universities, Hubbard said it dawned on her “we are almost back where we began.”

So the retired lawyer, who grew up during segregation and Jim Crow, is leading an effort to make sure teens learn the truth about Black history. With a summer Freedom School, based on the 1964 model, the St. Petersburg branch of Association for the Study of African American Life and History aims to teach children about the celebrations and hardships.

Jacqueline Hubbard [ JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK | Times ]

“As a community desirous of racial healing and reconciliation, we can only change the future by honestly acknowledging Black history in America — which is our past — confronting it, (and) vowing to make our best efforts not to allow overt racism to ever win again,” said Hubbard, who leads the association chapter. “It is necessary now.”

The Washington, D.C.-based association has found Florida’s situation so concerning that it has chosen to hold its national conference in Jacksonville in September.

President W. Marvin Dulaney said in an early April open letter that many of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts raise an alarming specter. He cited the governor’s push to denigrate the College Board’s new African American Studies Advanced Placement course, and measures aimed at eliminating diversity programs and pushing against “woke” lessons.

The climate, he added, creates an opportunity to defend the teaching of Black history, which state law requires but doesn’t enforce. State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, an Orlando Democrat and Black educator, has decried the situation frequently and this year filed a bill to mandate annual reporting that the lessons are taking place.

The initiative, Dulaney said, must be much as author and historian Carter G. Woodson envisioned in 1915 when he established the association and came up with the concept that became Black History Month.

“We are going to Florida to make a point: that we will follow our mission to promote the study of African American life and history and to demonstrate that we will not be intimidated by the policies of Gov. DeSantis and the Florida legislature,” Dulaney wrote.

The Manatee-Sarasota chapter held its Freedom School starting in February. The St. Petersburg branch program will be held on Thursdays beginning in June at the museum on Ninth Avenue South that bears Woodson’s name.

Hubbard, a retired attorney with many firsts in her career, said the governor’s politics loomed over the school’s formation. But, she added, there are other more important reasons to teach these history lessons.

Sabrina Griffin [ JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK | Times ]

“This is so much bigger,” agreed Sabrina Griffin, who heads the subcommittee organizing the courses. “We are carrying out the legacy of Dr. Woodson. We’re just doing what we do, which is to educate.”

The syllabus starts with lessons on ancient Africa, and winds its way through the Middle Passage, enslavement, the Civil War and Emancipation. It continues with a look at the Civil Rights Movement, contemporary Black life, and the contributions of Black Americans, concluding with a final discussion on what might come next. The 10-week program provides hard lessons without any sugar coating, along with celebrations of the culture, society and innovations of Black Americans.

Jennifer Gamble [ JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK | Times ]

Students need to understand “they came from a great people and not a diminished civilization,” said Jennifer Gamble, a retired Pinellas County educator who will help teach the courses. “I would like them to learn self worth.”

They’ll use four learning objectives throughout the lessons. Griffin said she finds the fourth one — gaining a foundation for future study — the most important.

“We’re covering a lot of years. We can’t really expect the children to get all the information in what will be 20 hours,” she said. “We really hope the students are going to be so excited about getting this information ... we are going to provide resources for them so they can continually learn.”

Hubbard stressed the Freedom School is for all children and not limited to those from any particular race.

“Black history is American history,” she said. The Freedom School is the association’s “attempt to teach inclusive American history.”

The organization continues to accept applications for the Freedom School. Students can sign up online at asalhsaintpetersburg.org/freedom-school.

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