Cancel Culture!

A good run down of the mania to ban “critical race theory,” by which conservatives mean “history.” This is from back in October, but it gives you a good sense of the widespread ridiculousness.

TEXAS

A new law came into effect on Sept. 1 in Texas that restricts discussions of race and history in schools.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the law was a “strong move to abolish critical race theory” in the state, but added that “more must be done”. While the legislation does not specifically use the term CRT, it refers to core components of the concept.

The law says teachers must not discuss the concept that one race or sex is “inherently superior” to another, or that a person is responsible for past actions of members of their race.

Students should not feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s race or sex,” according to the HB 3979 legislation.

While teachers must not be forced to discuss “controversial” current affairs – interpreted as issues around race – the law also requires teaching that white supremacy is morally wrong and literature from prominent Black people in American history.

ARIZONA

A similar law was signed into effect in June in Arizona that prevents students from being taught that one race, ethnic group or sex is in any way superior to another, or that anyone should be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics.

“A teacher … must may not use public monies for instruction that presents any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity, or sex”, the HB 2898 law reads.

Schools that violate the law face a fine of up to $5,000.

In separate legislation passed in July – HB 2906 – Arizona prevented government entities from requiring staff to undergo training that would suggest that they are “inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously”.

“I am not going to waste public dollars on lessons that imply the superiority of any race and hinder free speech,” Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said after the two laws were passed.

OKLAHOMA

In Oklahoma, a law similar to those in Arizona and Texas was passed in May – but with provisions for teachers to have their licenses suspended or revoked and schools their accreditation removed for engaging in “race or sex-based discriminatory acts.”

The law has several provisions on race, with one prohibiting schools from teaching that “meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race”.

Under the legislation, parents have the right to inspect lessons to ensure they comply with the rules, and file complaints if they believe that a violation has occured.

The law passed despite opposition from members of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, which teaches people about the deadly attacks by white rioters on Black residents that killed an estimated 300 people and left thousands homeless.

“We can and should teach … history without labelling a young child as an ‘oppressor’ or requiring (that) he or she feel guilt or shame based on their race or sex,” Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said following the signing of legislation HB 1755.

TENNESSEE

A near-identical law passed in June in Tennessee allows the state’s education commissioner to withhold funding from schools that promote or teach concepts around race discrimination.

The legislation – HB 580 – states that students must not be taught that Tennessee or the United States are “fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist”, and prohibits teachers from “promoting divison” between different groups of people.

“We should teach the exceptionalism of our nation and how people can live together and work together to make a greater nation, and to not teach things that inherently divide,” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee told reporters earlier this year.

So what is acceptable history for conservatives? Oh, I think you know the answer:

It’s the founding text of Reconstruction revisionism, a key influence on some of our most prominent race pundits—and a very bad book. My piece from the latest print issue: https://t.co/ClrKXatMKm

— Helen Andrews (@herandrews) December 11, 2021

The Dunning School lives in the hearts and “minds” of the conservative movement. DuBois? That’s Critical Race Theory? Birth of a Nation? Now that’s some history!