WASHINGTON: During a White House reception to celebrate Black History Month on Monday, President Joe Biden made the strong declaration that "history matters, and Black history matters." This comes after the state of Florida prevented a new advanced course on African American studies from being taught in its high schools.
"It is essential to communicate this from the White House to the entire nation: The past matters. The roughly 400 people who were present in the East Room of the White House nodded in agreement as Biden stated, "History matters, and Black history matters." I can't just pick and choose what we learn. We acquire essential information. Everything—the good, the bad, the truth, and who we are as a nation—must be learned by us."
"That's what great nations do," Biden added.
With his administration's attempt to reject the Advanced Placement course in its schools, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican opponent for Biden in 2024, has attracted national attention. He claims that the class pushed a political agenda rather than teaching students history. However, detractors of DeSantis claim that he is censoring important aspects of American history, and at least one Democratic governor, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, is expanding the number of schools that offer the advanced course in that state.
At the White House reception on Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black and south Asian woman to hold the position, delivered a similar message: that "American history, living history, breathing history, history that we create every day" is the definition of Black history.
"Let us all know for sure: "We will not, as a nation, attempt to erase America's past in order to build a better future for America," Harris stated.
Hundreds of people attended the White House's Black History Month celebration, including top administration officials like Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and a few dozen Black lawmakers. Biden recited his administration's achievements for the Black community at the event, such as the appointment of a record number of Black women to the federal judiciary and the issuance of an executive order to reform policing practices.
But "we must continue." Biden stated, "We're not finished yet."
He also gave thanks to the Divine Nine, which are nine historically Black sororities and fraternities. When Harris attended Howard University, one of them, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was one of her pledges.
Biden said, "I may be a white boy, but I'm not stupid," as the crowd laughed. I know where power is located.