A.G. Gancarski
The Florida branch of the National Organization for Women says there’s no better time than the present to stop the state’s “rush to autocracy.”
A fiery email from Florida NOW served as the polar opposite of a Valentine’s Day greeting for Gov. Ron DeSantis, bristling with condemnations of “racist and undemocratic … culture wars” that “pervert fundamental rights and principles of U.S and Florida governance.”
“The egregious laws and bills supporting DeSantis’ rush to autocracy are in progress,” the missive warned.
“How can any of us be silent? With more to come, these things are not freedom, are not American, don’t respect the First Amendment, and kill the value of our public and private school systems from K-12 through College and post-college work. It is a disgrace. This man can’t be allowed to continue. He is a shameless racist,” contends FLNOW President Debbie Deland.
The email cites a number of alleged transgressions, including a purported perpetuation of “White Supremacist ideology,” which “has been FORCED on the people in Florida since 2019 by the DeSantis Administration.”
“As a result, almost daily, a democratic institution serving all Floridians is being assaulted or an underserved population is being dehumanized with misinformation and abuse of power,” NOW asserted.
Examples of such include the DeSantis administration’s move toward “Removal/Whitewash Revision” of the College Board’s Advanced Placement African-American Studies course, the “Stop WOKE Act” ban of “critical race theory, and the “decimation” of New College, which is being piloted toward conservative reforms by new board appointees and interim President Richard Corcoran.
The narrowing of texts available in classrooms is also a point of contention for NOW.
“There are hundreds of books banned or being reviewed for banning. Classics, like “The Bluest Eye,” are being denied. Anything dealing with LGBTQ+ is being excluded,” the group decried.
“DeSantis still doesn’t seem to understand that if you are born LGBTQ+, a person can’t be groomed for it. Schools and librarians that don’t remove or cover up all books in the classroom face criminal charges. I wonder how many teachers we’ll lose over this when we already have a severe shortage of teachers. This book banning is so ‘1984,‘ wholly undemocratic.”
The group, which describes itself as an “intersectional grassroots organization,” issues a call to action: “Know the facts and speak out clearly; educate others, vote informed; call/email/visit your legislative leaders and let them know the weight of your concern; participate in demonstrations; write letters to the editor, and more. We must stop this downward spiral toward tyranny. Never be silent.”
11 comments
Claude Kirk the younger
February 14, 2023 at 11:22 am
Meanwhile Florida’s NOW is shuddering in fear against speaking out against the problem of males who identify as women in sports. A problem of monumental proportions which is totally destroying High School girl’s and College women’s sports along with any chance to go professional or to the olympics for Florida’s precious young girls and ladies.
This cancels any legitimancy of Florida’s NOW. I also personally cancel you. Speaking off the record its time for the cancelled NOW cows to sit down and shut up.
David Pakman
February 15, 2023 at 8:00 am
It’s not a “problem of monumental proportions.” Your far right propaganda washed mind is the biggest problem buddy. Seek professional help.
Deborah Curry Deland
February 15, 2023 at 1:57 pm
thank you for being so direct.
Chavela Vargas
February 15, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Nobody is shuddering in fear because there are no males in female sports. There are only females (cis or trans) in female sports. Bring your transphobic crap elsewhere. NOW does not need a TERF branch. Try Mom’s for Liberty instead.
Deborah Curry Deland
February 15, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Thanks for taking him on
cassandra
February 15, 2023 at 2:19 pm
100% Agree
Deborah Curry Deland
February 15, 2023 at 1:57 pm
It is NOT a monumental problem. There are so few transgender children that it is not a problem. Our support of transgender people actually legitimizes us, NOW. Using transgender people to drive divides is ridiculous. Banning books on LGBTQ is wrong. Claude you are ruder and angry. We will never sit down and never shutup.
Jim Cline
February 14, 2023 at 11:31 am
Hyperbole much?
“Since the first policy for transgender athletes at Olympic level was introduced in 2003, we have seen more than 63,000 athletes become Olympians. Only two transgender women have made it to the Olympics in this time.” (Guardian).
Deborah Curry Deland
February 15, 2023 at 2:03 pm
I forgot it was policy at Olympics. The world doesn’t fear transgender. Ron DeSantis is using to fuel culture war.
Tom
February 15, 2023 at 11:06 am
I asked my niece what she thought, being a college pole vaulter at the top end of the sport. Her take was that nobody cares because all you’re concerned about is doing better than you did last time and improving on your personal best. Apparently at college, nobody much cares. Grumpy old white men on the other hand are apoplectic. Go figure. More made up conservative issues to rail against.
Deborah Curry Deland
February 15, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Good for her
Strong daughter!
Comments are closed.