In the op-ed section of the Orlando Sentinel, a subscription-based news source, State Representative Anna V. Eskamani's (D-FL) recent op-ed declares that Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and his agenda is waging war against all Floridians.
Her main argument is that Gov. DeSantis’ agenda is more than a culture war, but a class war.
“This obsession that DeSantis and other conservatives have shown towards abolishing minority-focused programs like women and gender studies alongside their demonization of DEI, CRT, African American studies, and integration of “western civilization” into core curriculum has often been characterized as a culture war. But every culture war is a class war,” stated Rep. Eskamani.
In 2018, Rep. Eskamani became the first Iranian American elected to public office in the state of Florida. She was described as a “firebrand liberal” and a “rising star” by News Service of Florida in 2020.
As a student that graduated with woman and gender studies major at the University of Central Florida, DeSantis’ approach is “personal.”
I would not be where I am today, or who I am today if it wasn’t for women & gender studies (WGS). So when I see DeSantis attempt to corrupt FL’s higher education system, defund public schools, & eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs along w/WGS — it’s personal,” said Rep. Eskamani.
She went on to mention that the Republican’s recent agenda – legislation that looks to crack down on what they would call “wokeism” in higher education around the state – will deny students of what Eskamani calls “transformational learning.”
“And that’s exactly what HB999/SB266 would do. This bill would decimate higher education in Florida by infringing academic freedom, eliminating courses, majors, and minors based on ideological lines, centralize the hiring process of new faculty all the while eroding the prominence and protection of tenure,” stated the Florida State Rep.
Moreover, Eskamani would once again claim that Republicans are looking to separate society by class rather than ideology.
“Instead of my Republican colleagues solving the wicked problems we face as a society — like poverty, gun violence, or climate change — it’s much easier to invent fake problems that distract, deflect and divide. But it’s not just division on ideological lines, it’s division by socioeconomic status,” Rep. Eskamani stated.
To read the full text of State Rep. Eskamani’s piece about class struggle and the war waged by Gov. DeSantis against the “have nots” and their ability to access information and education, you can find it here.
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