Martin Luther King Jr. Day is just around the corner, and as per usual, the day gives the nation's leaders time to reflect on equal rights. Some politicians use the day and the likeness of the MLK to further their political agenda. This is the case for progressive State Rep. Carlos G. Smith (D-49) who invoked MLK in supporting Critical Race Theory this week.
In a public address this week, the Central Florida legislator made remarks that reflected the upcoming holiday, paralleled with pressing issues in Florida. Ever since last legislative session, Critical Race Theory is still considered one of the state's and the country's most controversial issues.
"But let's understand that today's opponents of racial justice may look similar to those from 1964, but they may also look very different, or sound different," stated Rep. Smith, he then continued, "We should ask ourselves, 'What would Dr. King think about the effort to ban Critical Race Theory from Florida public schools, something proponents of the effort know very well is not actually taught in Florida public schools?'"
Smith then asked, "Would he see it as a way to 'stop the indoctrination of our nation's youth with hatred towards one another and towards America?' Or would he see it as a thinly, veiled attempt to politicize and whitewash the teaching of Black history in our schools?"
The representative then took the clip to his Twitter account where he revisited his prior remarks:
What would #MLK think about banning CRT from public schools, something proponents know is not actually taught? Would he see it as stopping the indoctrination our nation's youth with hatred…OR
…as a thinly veiled attempt to politicize + whitewash the teaching of Black history? pic.twitter.com/8OK5THqZFd
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) January 10, 2022
Although Critical Race Theory has been declared a victory for the Republican camp down in Florida, some feel that the issue is not even close to dead yet. State Rep. Spencer Roach (R-79) previously voiced concerns that the language of the CRT ban was not strong enough and plans to revisit the security of the ban.
