Understanding Florida’s HB7: A Policy of Intimidation by Confusion

Abstract

“Divisive Concepts” laws have sprung up around the nation as a backlash to the widespread commitments to anti-racist education that emerged in summer 2020. This critical policy analysis examines the concepts central to Florida’s “Individual Freedom Act” [HB7] of 2022, to determine its intent and impact in ameliorating or exacerbating persistent educational inequities. Through an analysis of the language of the law for what is and is not banned as well as the discrepancies between language of the legal text juxtaposed with the “Anti-Woke” political rhetoric accompanying HB7, this study reveals the law’s ideological underpinnings and political intent. The law’s concepts serve as a manufactured pretext to villainize teachers, misrepresent Critical Race Theory, cause confusion and fear, thereby chilling educator practice. The analysis also reveals how, despite the law’s intent, the concepts can be reframed to support educational equity. Implications for equity-minded practitioners within K-20 education contexts are explored.