Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign has been controversial for many reasons. Most recently, he is drawing criticism from all sides for his state’s curriculum on black history. Several noteworthy names have slammed the new curriculum and the incumbent Florida governor for signing it. Stephen A. Smith is one such personality who is not letting this pass. Using his platform on The Stephen A. Smith Show, he made a fiery rant blasting DeSantis’ latest move across social media. The same clip was shared by Shaquille O’Neal on his Instagram indicating he too agrees with the NBA analyst.

DeSantis passed a law in 2022 that led to the Florida Board of Education approving changes in the curriculum. Among those changes are controversial takes on black history and slavery. From Vice President Kamala Harris to even Republican politicians, several names have criticized DeSantis’ presidential campaign on this issue. Stephen A. Smith and Shaquille O’Neal are the latest personalities criticizing the presidential candidate.

Stephen A. Smith denounces Ron DeSantis’ curriculum

In 2022, Ron DeSantis passed a bill in Florida under which the state’s Board of Education made several changes in the curriculum. Among the most controversial is the insertion of the claim that black people benefited from slavery in the curriculum. Teachers, students and parents nationwide are pushing to reverse this academic change. Celebrities and politicians are criticizing the DeSantis administration on this too.

Florida officials have, however, attempted to defend this claim by trying to say that slaves picked up skills that benefited them. This is backfiring as it minimizes the atrocity enslaved black people suffered. Celebrities who have a strong voice for social justice are using their platform to spread awareness on this issue. Stephen A. Smith is one of them.

He took up this matter on his eponymous show and ripped into DeSantis. He gave a sharp reminder to everyone watching his video that slavery was “indentured servitude,” “forced labor,” and “being held and imprisoned essentially against your will.” He said the only people who benefited from slavery are the enslavers.

Drawing from what many others have said on the matter, Smith reminded viewers that black people were forced onto ships and brought into the country. “Millions of lives were lost, our ancestors jumped into the ocean…to avoid being enslaved,” he said. Smith didn’t mince words when he called DeSantis a “disgrace to humanity.” Further criticizing DeSantis’ political ambitions for the top office in the country, he said that no presidential candidate can make the entire POC community believe they benefited from slavery.

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Several people have commented on Smith’s take, either agreeing or disagreeing. One person in Smith’s corner is Shaquille O’Neal.

Shaq supports Stephen A. Smith

O’Neal is known for his thriving social circle. He could even rib you hard but it’s obvious to anyone that he can maintain a friendship. He counts Stephen A. Smith among his friend even if he taunts him severely on air.

O’Neal shared Smith’s video on his Instagram Stories making his support clear. Big Diesel is an all-rounder entertainer with the best sense of humor and wit. But he’s also a strong advocate for social justice and has over 31.5 million Instagram followers. Even his silent support on the issue makes a big impact.

Lately, Smith’s position at ESPN is the subject of rumors. There’s speculation that his show is going undergo a revamp. Shaq was quick to jump on the bandwagon and taunt Smith. He even taunted Smith’s “little arms” that led to him revealing his health conditions. But it’s all in good fun and Smith doesn’t mind his “brother” roasting him.

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This relationship reveals that Shaq and Smith are a strong duo who are determined to help their community. There’s no doubt they won’t let this issue on black history pass.