Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to fight against Critical Race Theory (CRT) by introducing new legislation prohibiting it from being taught in schools or employee training. DeSantis introduced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (W.O.K.E.) Act during a press conference on Wednesday.
“In Florida we are taking a stand against the state-sanctioned racism that is critical race theory,” DeSantis said. “We won’t allow Florida tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other.”
The Florida governor added that it’s the state’s “responsibility to ensure that parents have the means to vindicate their rights when it comes to enforcing state standards,” he continued. “Finally, we must protect Florida workers against the hostile work environment that is created when large corporations force their employees to endure CRT-inspired’ training’ and indoctrination.”
The legislation expands on the governor’s actions to ban CRT and the New York Times’ 1619 project in public schools by blocking federal funds in educational institutions.
“Our legislation would defund any money from K-12 to higher ed going to C.R.T.,” DeSantis added. I view the wokeness as a form of cultural Marxism. They want to tear at the fabric of our society and our culture, really things we’ve taken for granted, like the ability of parents to direct the upbringing of their kids.”
“No taxpayer dollars should be used to teach our kids to hate our country or to hate each other,” he stated.
Under the act, businesses would be treated as maintaining a “hostile work environment” under the law if they mandate CRT training for employees.
“How is it not a hostile work environment to be attacking people based on their race or telling them that they’re privileged or part of oppressive systems when all they’re doing is showing up to work and trying to earn a living,” DeSantis claimed. “We believe that that violates the Florida Civil Rights laws, but to the extent that it doesn’t, we’re going to make sure that the law does include this.”
The legislation comes as schools districts face significant backlash from parents for teaching the anti-American and anti-white, Critical Race Theory.
The National School Boards Association later called those concerned parents “domestic terrorists,” for which they later issued an apology.