Unlike Trump, DeSantis favors ideologies that win him votes and power. DeSantis really deeply believes in his alt-right ideologies. In true dictator- style governing, DeSantis is changing certain truths about America’s history by censoring it and unilaterally deciding what books teachers can use in the classroom. Topics on the chopping block through the DeSantis “Stop Woke Act” are:
“texts that tell uncomfortable or unpopular truths about our nation’s origins, including inequality, race, history, gender, sexuality, power and class – a range of subjects that a small but vocal group of Americans would prefer to ignore or deny.”(The Guardian, Feb. 9, 2023). The Guardian article further explains these DeSantis book-banning policies give him and his MAGA followers control to restrict the teaching of America’s full history and denies the majority of students access to the comprehensive education they have a legal right to learn. The “Stop Woke Act” also restricts discussions on topics DeSantis has decided are offensive, unnecessary and unlawful in his state. Teachers much conceal books that have not been officially approved and vetted by the state ( him). Potential for teachers and administrators to be jailed is high based on the pervasive, arbitrary restrictions of the “Stop Woke Act”.
“For DeSantis, would-be reformers like Obama, who misunderstand the role of slavery in our history, are themselves the root of the problem in our politics.” The only concession DeSantis makes for change is that it must be conservative change as he interprets the founding fathers’ intended. Interpretations of change that deviate from originalist thought, like Obama’s vision of America were rejected by DeSantis. He is taking Florida backward into a conservatism that is racist, outdated, and dangerous. Democrats must counter the narrative that today’s America could ever elect this person as president.
