Conservatives are finally fighting back as leftists across the U.S. attempt to further indoctrinate and radicalize America’s children with the dangerous concept of critical race theory. Critical race theory claims that one’s race alone defines them and is their most important characteristic. Furthermore, critical race theory seeks to divide children by race and attempts to make them feel responsible and guilty of atrocities that they did not commit. So far, seven states have taken action to ban the teaching of critical race theory: Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
On June 10, the Florida Board of Education approved a proposed rule that outlines how American history will be taught and outlaws critical race theory from being taught in Florida public schools. The rule states that “Instruction on the required topics must be factual and objective and may not suppress or distort significant historical events, such as the Holocaust, and may not define American history as something other than the creation of a new nation based largely on universal principles stated in the Declaration of Independence.” The decision to adopt this rule was supported by Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently referred to the teaching of critical race theory as “outrageous.”
In Idaho, Republican Governor Brad Little signed H.B. 377 into law on April 28. The bill prohibits the teaching of critical race theory in all Idaho public schools and universities. Specifically, the bill bans Idaho public schools and universities from teaching “that any sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior.” Any Idaho public school that refuses to comply with the bill will have state funding stripped from them.
In Iowa, Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed H.F. 802 into law on June 8. The bill forbids the teaching of critical race theory in all Iowa public schools and state agencies. Precisely, the bill bars Iowa public schools and state agencies from teaching “that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.”
Montana has taken a unique approach to banning the teaching of critical race theory in their state. According to a recent Attorney General’s Opinion from Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen, critical race theory is “discriminatory” and therefore violates existing state and federal laws if it is taught in public schools. This single decision means that public schools cannot teach critical race theory in Montana, or they will be at risk of losing state funding. This decision also creates a precedent to swiftly ban critical race theory that attorney generals in other states will likely follow.
In Oklahoma, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed H.B. 1775 into law on May 7. The bill forbids public school teachers from teaching critical race theory. The bill also prohibits Oklahoma public colleges and universities from requiring students to take sexual or gender diversity training. The bill officially goes into effect on July 1.
In Tennessee, Republican Governor Bill Lee signed H.B. 580 into law on May 24. The bill bans Tennessee public and charter schools from teaching that “an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously,” effectively banning the teaching of critical race theory. Furthermore, the bill allows the state education commissioner to withhold 100% of state funding from schools that violate the new law. The bill officially goes into effect on July 1.
The Texas State Legislature took action against critical race theory by passing H.B. 3979 back in May. Similar to legislation passed in other states, the bill bans public school teachers from teaching that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.” The bill also prohibits public school teachers from teaching that “an individual, by virtue of the individuals’ race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex.” Finally, the bill forbids the teaching of the debunked New York Times’ “1619 Project” in Texas public schools, which wrongfully claims that America was not founded in 1776. Instead, the “1619 Project” states that America was created when the first slaves were brought to the colonies in 1619 and that America has been systemically racist ever since.
Under the rules outlined in H.B. 3979, the discredited “1619 Project” and the abhorrent concept of critical race theory would not be allowed to be taught in any Texas public schools. The bill currently sits on Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s desk and is expected to be signed into law imminently.
Critical race theory is dangerous, divisive, Marxist, and seeks to promote the very concepts it claims to combat. With many states finally taking rightful action against critical race theory, it is time for every other state to follow suit.