In his latest book, Robert W. Fieseler sheds light on the dark history of the Johns committee in Florida, which targeted Black and queer individuals in the 1950s and 60s under the guise of anti-communist sentiment. He critiques the current political climate under Ron DeSantis, suggesting that it mirrors the oppressive atmosphere of the past. Fieseler argues that societal fears have returned to a level reminiscent of the McCarthy era, highlighting ongoing discriminatory policies and the cyclical nature of Florida politics that pervade contemporary governance.
Charley Johns was the state senator and governor who steered his eponymous committee. It came into being in 1956, towards the end of the national red scare.
The level of fear now is equivalent or greater to the level of fear felt in the 1950s and 60s. We're in denial as a society right now that we live in a second red scare.
Fieseler said the state of Florida has a very poisonous political system, promoting a book published as Ron DeSantis sits in the governor's mansion.
It was shocking: banning AP African American history, attacking the University of Florida, the whole let's go after Disney' thing that all reinforced the sense that Florida politics are cyclical.
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