Ron DeSantis praises Florida education and criticizes academic wokeness in Sarasota.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis electrified the crowd at Sarasota’s New College of Florida with a passionate speech highlighting the state’s educational achievements and reforms while criticizing the influence of “woke” culture in academia.
DeSantis proudly declared, “In the last 5½ years, there’s been no state that has done more to reform and improve education. We took on school choice. We made sure schools were open during COVID, battling school unions, all this stuff. So it was really, really good.”
New College of Florida, known as the state’s liberal arts honors college, has been at the center of a power struggle between the previous administration and the governor, who aims to transform the institution into a model similar to Michigan’s Hillsdale College.
DeSantis shook up the institution in January 2023 by appointing a new slate of six board members, including outspoken activist and critic of DEI and critical race theory, Christopher Rufo.
The governor commended the school’s transformation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring public institutions serve the best interests of Florida and not succumb to ideological indoctrination.
DeSantis reiterated his stance on preventing the use of public resources for what he sees as ideological manipulation, saying, “If you want to go be on some Marxist commune, if that’s what you want to do with your life, who am I to say? But I don’t want the taxpayers of Florida funding that.”
He emphasized the need for a liberal arts education rooted in the Western tradition, similar to the educational principles of the Founding Fathers, to attract students from across Florida and the nation.
DeSantis highlighted the current state of universities across the country and the need for a return to basic education, free from ideological bias and political agendas.
Referencing nationwide campus protests, the governor contrasted Florida’s public education system with Ivy League leniency and vowed to address disruptions with a firm approach.
As a vocal critic of left-wing bias in academia, DeSantis emphasized the corruption that occurs when leftist ideology infiltrates various institutions, including corporate America, academia, medical establishments, and the media.
Shifting to the state’s pandemic response, DeSantis criticized the medical establishment for prioritizing ideology over science during the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting instances of corruption and unethical practices.
The governor credited Florida’s unconventional COVID policies with attracting a wave of new residents and investments to the state, as people sought refuge from states with stricter lockdowns and higher taxes.
