The Florida Board of Education has given its approval to revised Black history standards for public schools in the state.

However, this decision has drawn criticism from education and civil rights advocates who believe students should have the opportunity to learn the complete and unfiltered truth about American history.

The curriculum was approved at the board's meeting Wednesday in Orlando.

Dr. Omékongo Dibinga, a racial justice expert, educator, and activist, believes that the Florida Board of Education's new Black history standards may worsen racist stereotypes, systemic racism, and violence against the Black community.

The Florida Board of Education approved these new standards, following the enactment of new legislation under Governor Ron DeSantis.

1) Best way to handle @GovRonDeSantis & his attacks on Black people from #CriticalRaceTheory, arresting Black voters and more is to economically cripple Florida and support teacher/student protests. Performers shouldn't go. Athletes shouldn't play. Conventions should move, etc.

— Dr. Omekongo Dibinga, CSP (@omekongo) February 3, 2023

This legislation aims to prevent any teaching that suggests privilege or oppression based on race or skin colour, reflecting Governor DeSantis's stance against "wokeness" and his engagement in the national discussion on how to approach the teaching of racism and history in schools.

The new standards require instruction for middle school students to include "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit," according to a document listing the standards on the Florida Department of Education website.

Dr Dibinga spoke at the July 20-23 National Black Catholic Congress, where he told OSV News "the first problem with that line is that they assumed that African people didn't already have skills when they got here.T

That's why they were enslaved in the first place, because they have the skills," he said.

"You cannot talk about something that comes as a benefit in any way, shape or form, if it came at the expense of your freedom — period, bottom line."

Dr Dibinga said the Florida curriculum in full is also missing crucial historical context about the pre-colonial history of the African continent and its people.

"The new Florida school standards are latest example of the dangerous consequences of the fake critical race theory activism from organisations like Moms for Liberty and governors like Ron DeSantis," Dr. Dibinga, author of he new book Lies About Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why It Matters said.

"The idea that slavery was beneficial because it taught Black people new 'skills' is just one of the most egregious outcomes of these standards but there are many more. The lies told about Black people are what led to these policies and for people to enthusiastically embrace them."

"Lies About Black People" delves into the origins and causes of prevalent stereotypes, revealing the hidden truths they mask and the atrocities they have justified.

It also offers solutions to address racism in various aspects of life.