To the editor:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban of Advanced Placement (AP) high-school class on Black History is an outrageous attack on Black Floridians, civil rights and academic freedom.

Floridians are calling on DeSantis to change course.

We urge DeSantis to not diminish, dismantle, and destroy the teaching of Black studies and do more research about the power of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Throughout history, dismantling public institutions (like education) and scapegoating people of color have always been hallmark tactics of authoritarian politicians and fascist movements.

The DeSantis administration is already well known for banning pro-LGBTQ books, demanding textbook publishers remove anything the religious right deems too “woke,” and encouraging school boards dominated by conservatives to purge teachers who enforce COVID-19 prevention measures.

Religious authoritarians hope that by undermining public schools and twisting the version of history we teach our children; they can control future generations — making it easier for them to further harm marginalized communities and seize power at any cost.

Christians have a sacred obligation to fight for racial justice — work that includes lifting up Black voices and standing against the white Christian-nationalist leaders who try to hide the truth about our history.

Dennis Raube

Fort Myers