On Monday, Betsy DeVos painfully blundered when she described historically black colleges and universities as “pioneers when it comes to school choice.”
Following a meeting between Donald Trumpand several university leaders, DeVos released the offensive statement that glossed over the African American struggle with Jim Crow and segregation laws that prevented Black students from attending white schools.
Trump’s cabinet pick for education also stated that HBCU’s “started from the fact that there were too many students in America who did not have equal access to education.” The hollow attempt to tie Black people’s fight for educational freedom to her controversial school choice policies backfired and DeVos was forced to renege. She later attempted to clarify her statements on twitter.
But your history was born not out of mere choice, but out of necessity, in the face of racism, and in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Tone-deaf, uninformed statement from DeVos. #HBCUs weren’t “more options” for black students – for many years, they were the ONLY option. pic.twitter.com/fD58rXpHIt
Some couldn’t believe that the person in charge of the country’s education painted such an inaccurate picture of American history.
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In perhaps an appropriate twist of irony, this isn’t the first time DeVos’ and Jim Crow have been a part of the public discourse. If you recall, a cartoon depicting Betsy DeVos in the same way as civil rights hero Ruby Bridges received heavy criticism.
You would think Betsy DeVos would be more knowledgeable about Jim Crow and segregation after that incident.
