The Tennessee legislature banned teaching critical race theory in public and charter schools.
The legislation prohibits schools from teaching students that one sex or race is superior to any other, that an individual “is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive” on the basis of race or sex, and that individuals of any race bear responsibility for actions committed by the same race.
The bill also bars educators from teaching students that the United States is “fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist” and advocating for the “violent overthrow” of the U.S. government.
A school that violates the law is liable to have its funding from the state cut until it provides proof that it is no longer teaching a curriculum that promotes critical race theory.
TEXAS SUBURB DEFEATS ‘CRITICAL RACE THEORY’ CURRICULUM AFTER HIGHLY CONTESTED ELECTION
Republican Rep. John Ragan accused “self-appointed guardians of equity” of seeking to create artificial divisions in the “pursuit of political power” by their promotion of critical race theory.
“We have much work left for our children to be able to realize the full promise of our nation. To fulfill that promise, our children must be educated, that they stand as individuals, equal before our laws as they will one day stand before the Creator,” Ragan told the Tennesee Assembly Tuesday.” They must learn their identity is defined by the content of their character, not the color of the skin, their sex, ethnicity, or membership in some social class.”
Democratic lawmakers voiced their opposition to the bill, with Sen. Katrina Robinson saying she was “deeply and profoundly offended” by the legislation. Sen. Brenda Gilmore argued the bill would hinder the ability of teachers to educate students about “true history.”
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“I do not cast blame, but I think we do have to admit that slavery did occur,” Gilmore told her colleagues. “It was a dark period in our history. We have to acknowledge the wrongs of our society, even when it’s a difficult conversation to have.”
The bill does not expressly mention slavery, but it does allow teachers to teach students about the “historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, or geographic region” in an impartial manner.
The Washington Examiner contacted Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s office but did not receive a response indicating whether he would sign the bill.
