Florida could shield whites from ‘discomfort’ of racist past

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A bill pushed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prohibit public schools and private businesses from making white people feel “discomfort” when they teach students or train employees about discrimination in the nation’s past received its first approval. It takes aim at critical race theory though it doesn’t mention it explicitly. Florida’s Senate Education Committee approved the bill on party lines Tuesday, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against. Democrats argued the bill isn’t needed. DeSantis called critical race theory “crap” last month and said he would seek legislation that would let parents sue schools and employees sue employers if they were subject to its teachings.