It sounds like the current Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis needs an AP course in African American history. Because we think DeSantis wouldn’t dare read a book on black history DeSantis should endeavor to at least watch the film Rosewood directed by the late great John Singleton. The film is based on the real events of the Rosewood Massacre of African American citizens of Florida in 1923.

The Rosewood Massacre was a violent attack on the African American town of Rosewood, Florida, in 1923. The attack was triggered by a false accusation that a white woman had been beaten by a black man in the nearby town of Sumner. A white mob, fueled by racial prejudice, jealousy, and anger, descended upon Rosewood, resulting in several days of violence and destruction.

The Rosewood massacre resulted in the deaths of many African American residents, the destruction of homes and businesses, and the forced displacement of many African American families. The exact number of casualties is unknown, but estimates range to as many as 150 people.

The violence in Rosewood was a stark example of the racial prejudice and violence that African Americans faced in the early 20th century. Despite being targeted and terrorized by the white mob, the African American residents of Rosewood bravely defended their homes and families. However, they were ultimately forced to flee for their lives and their community was left in ruins.

The Rosewood massacre received little attention at the time and was largely forgotten for many years. It was not until the 1990s that the story of Rosewood was rediscovered and brought to the public’s attention. In 1994, the Florida legislature approved a bill offering compensation to surviving relatives of the victims of the massacre, and the state officially apologized for its failure to protect the citizens of Rosewood.