Long before Governor Ron DeSantis declared a new war on wokeness, Florida lawmakers in the 1950s and 60s tried going after the NAACP, suspected communists and gay people in Florida schools and universities. The lawmakers upended life for countless numbers of their fellow Floridians before being upended themselves by their own zeal for the cause. Now that DeSantis is bringing this playbook to a presidential campaign, Rachel Maddow and Isaac-Davy Aronson ask what we can learn from the last time Florida went down this path.
For those that are hearing impaired or prefer to read instead of listen, the transcript is here.
EPISODE NOTES
Long before Governor Ron DeSantis declared a new war on wokeness, Florida lawmakers in the 1950s and 60s tried going after the NAACP, suspected communists and gay people in Florida schools and universities. The lawmakers upended life for countless numbers of their fellow Floridians before being upended themselves by their own zeal for the cause. Now that DeSantis is bringing this playbook to a presidential campaign, Rachel Maddow and Isaac-Davy Aronson ask what we can learn from the last time Florida went down this path.
Featuring guests:
Stacy Braukman, author of Communists and Perverts Under the Palms: The Johns Committee in Florida, 1956-1965
Shevrin Jones, Florida State Senator
Robert Buccellatto, historian and co-host of the Florida History Podcast
SHOW CONTRIBUTORS
Stacy Braukman
Shevrin Jones
Robert Buccellato
Rachel Maddow
Isaac-Davy Aronson
Scottie's Playtime 