#ArtAndHistory - Reflections and Corrections

In light of recent controversial changes to the teaching of African American history in Florida’s public schools, I've felt moved to revisit one of my previous posts. I believe it's our duty to accurately portray history in all its complexities, and crucially, respect the lived experiences it discusses.

These new Florida standards argue that slavery provided 'beneficial skills' to some Black people is a deeply flawed perspective. The truth is, many enslaved Africans possessed these skills long before they were forcibly brought to the New World. Their talents and skills, developed and passed down through generations in Africa, were exploited by their captors. The system of slavery did not "teach" these skills, it exploited them.

In a past Art Scene blog, I delved into the lives of enslaved pearl divers during the Renaissance. It's become evident to me that my words could have been misconstrued to align with the troubling narrative currently being advanced in Florida.

To avoid perpetuating this harmful misunderstanding, I've updated my post to emphasize this crucial aspect more clearly. That enslaved divers skills were not imparted by slavery. The individuals brought these skills from their African coastal communities, skills honed over generations. The European slave traders exploited these skills; they did not cultivate them. The revised post can be found here: https://www.budgetcollector.org/portfolio_page/portrait-of-a-moorish-woman-by-a-follower-of-paolo-caliari-il-veronese/

It's incumbent upon us all to share a full and accurate picture of our history, complete with its complexities and contradictions. We must respect and honor the resilience of those who endured unimaginable hardships, without diminishing the severity of the atrocities they faced.

#TruthInHistory #HistoryMatters #AfricanHistory