Thread by @MamaSissieSays

The PragerU Frederick Douglass video was SO egregious, I couldn’t make a video shorter than FIVE MINUTES.

If you’ve been following me, you know this is the longest video I’ve ever made-by a loooong shot.

There are so many problems here 🧵

Find the full video here: tiktok.com/t/ZT8LWvEL1/

Here is a summary of the curricular atrocities in this video:

1. The perpetual minimization of slavery. “Slavery has existed forever, we weren’t the first…” as if that absolves the founding fathers from the crimes against humanity/Black peoples they KNEW they were guilty of.

2. The blatant jabs at BLM movement & any progressive or “radical” (as they call it) attempts to end systemic racism in society, particularly within law enforcement.

They even insinuate that these protestors go around casually, intentionally lighting things on fire.

And it is these statements, ironically, that are incendiary in nature, not the people attempting to protect human rights.

3. If you don’t work within the confines of this broken system, then you want to destroy the entire country. It’s that hyperbolic. And even more insulting, it’s coming from the mouth of animated Frederick Douglass.

4. You can’t, or rather, you shouldn’t learn about social justice across curriculums.

Social justice in math class??? The horror!! 😱

The implication that social justice is confined to a single segment of a student’s curriculum suggests that it only exists in that hemisphere of history. This frees society from the communal obligation we all have-to protect human rights for every citizen, in every context.

None of the information provided by the animated Douglass is offered with appropriate context. It confuses his hard fought, savvy efforts to end slavery with a permissive, simplification, and undermines what abolitionists of the era actually endured & achieved.

This video bastardizes the essence of Frederick Douglass. It’s insulting for me as a former history/govt teacher. I can’t imagine how devastating it must feel for Black people to see this dehumanizing curriculum implemented (or continued) in Florida public schools.

Also maddening, though not equally so, the Reagan video review will be next.

Credits: @davidhth