As tensions heat up in Florida for the 2022 gubernatorial race, Critical Race Theory continues to be the most divisive issue in the state. However, Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried (D-FL) accused Republicans of restricting education and backed CRT.
CRT is a controversial philosophy – a progressive idea that proponents say can increase racial equity and which critics describe as Marxist, anti-American, and neo-racist.
Commissioner Fried has a long history of exchanging jabs with Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on issues like voting and even education "The only way to do that combats it head-on, talk about systemic racism that is in our state and country, and anyone who says otherwise," - Fried on education
Fried questioned why schools shouldn’t “talk about slavery” or “Jim Crow laws” before asserting that Critical Race Theory needed to be taught.
What, are were not going to talk about slavery in our country? We’re not going to talk about Jim Crow laws,” asked Fried.” These are facts about the history of our country and our state. And we need to teach it, no matter how hard it is.
"We need to make sure that our students are knowing their past because if they don't know the past, they are going to repeat it in the future. You don't think that in Germany they don't teach about the Holocaust? They got to own it, and make it right," stated Fried in defense of CRT.
In a Tweet this morning the Commissioner charged "the so-called party of liberty & independence," with the accusation of "dismantling our rights."
In Florida, the so-called party of liberty & independence has been dismantling our rights.
They've passed laws that suppress our votes, criminalize our voices, restrict what's taught in schools & raise our taxes.
Judge your leaders by their actions, not their words — then vote.
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) July 5, 2021
The Commissioner's teasing support for CRT sharply contrasts the unapologetic DeSantis who previously claimed that Florida will not spend "one red cent," on the ideology being taught and has accused the contents of the theory to be Marxist in nature.
So far Florida joins roughly 20 states that have filed legislation against the teachings, while the doctrine has gained a massive dislike among diverse groups of parents.
