Advocates for academic freedom are battling in court against Florida’s claim a professor’s speech is government speech, allowing them to prevent criticism of the governor.
Arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals’ 11th Circuit last month raised alarms when prominent attorney Charles J. Cooper, representing Florida, said the state can “insist that professors not espouse and endorse viewpoints contrary to the state’s.”
Adriana Novoa, professor of Latin American history at the University of South Florida, is challenging the “Stop WOKE” Act and warned people should be very concerned.
“It’s indoctrination, which is ironic because that’s what they say we are doing right now,” Novoa pointed out.
“Basically any governor — it’s not only about this one — any governor in the future can decide what will be the viewpoints that will be promoted in the classroom.”
The Stop WOKE Act
The Stop WOKE Act, struck down but under appeal, banned school instruction and workplace training, suggesting privilege or oppression based on race, sex or national origin.
Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes DEI programs focusing on race and sexual orientation, claiming they are unconstitutional and discriminatory and has passed laws to prevent discomfort or guilt around such topics.
Henry Reichman, professor emeritus of history at California State University-East Bay and former vice president of the American Association of University Professors, said academic freedom is a professional standard honored by reputable universities.
He cautioned Florida’s approach is unprecedented and dangerous.
“This notion that the faculty member is nothing more than a spokesperson for the government, that the government is the ventriloquist behind the scenes pulling the strings of the professor, then you don’t have education; you have propaganda, indoctrination,” Reichman contended.
Despite DeSantis’ ongoing campaign against what he calls “indoctrination,” a term he frequently uses at rallies and this week’s Republican National Convention, the state’s appeal of the Stop WOKE Act, or Individual Freedom Act, has raised concerns among academics and civil rights organizations about the lengths the state is willing to go to limit freedom of thought in classrooms.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
