Presentation Schedule
Banning African American Studies and the Lost Cause Tradition (113853)
Session Chair: Mark Beeman
Tuesday, 10 November 2026 12:10
Session: Session 1
Room: Room A (4F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
The recent passage of anti-woke legislation the related rejection of an AP African American Studies course in Florida has been met with condemnation by civil right organizations, free-speech advocates, and academic scholars. The legislation was promoted by conservative politicians and was popular among conservative voters in the state. I argue this legislation lies at the intersection of two salient forces. First, it draws historically upon the lost cause narrative popularized in Southern culture during the Jim Crow Era and reinforced through fundamentalist protestant churches. Second, it serves the political expediency of politicians who portray white voters as being racially victimized by diversity initiatives. This study compares contemporary political legislation with legislation of the past to provide a historical overview of Florida’s educational racial inequities. This study also traces the evolving racial ideology of the Southern Baptist Church which provided a rationalization and political base for Florida’s race-based educational policies. Primary sources used include legislative documents, court cases, and church documents. Secondary sources used include news reports and civil rights organization releases. Theoretically these findings are informed by the work of Derrick Bell on civil rights and convergence interests, and the work of Patricia Hill Collins on racism adapting to changing social conditions.
Authors:
Mark Beeman, Northern Arizona University, United States
About the Presenter(s)
Professor Mark Beeman is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at in United States
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