Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to decide on bill to ban teaching of critical race theory – Oklahoman.com

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The Oklahoma House on Thursday passed legislation to prohibit public schools and universities from teaching critical race theory, which examines the way race and racism touchaspects of American history, politics and culture.

The bill, which passed 70-19after hours of discussion and debate, now heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk.

House Bill 1775would prohibitthe teaching of a laundry list of topics, including that one race or sex is inherently superior to another, and that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.

The debate among lawmakers stirredfar-reaching arguments about racism, history and societal inequalities.

When a Republican legislator compared the social movement Black Lives Matter to a terrorist organization, a Black lawmaker from across the aisle loudly booed. Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, also calledthe Ku Klux Klan a terrorist group.

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The bill by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is similar to legislation being proposed in a handful of other GOP-led legislatures across the country.

The trendcomes as the United States is grapplingwith its complicatedracial history amid widespread calls for racial justice andgreater recognition ofdeep-seated racial inequalities.

Nationwide, there's also growing conservative criticism of political correctness and "cancel culture,"in which public officials or groups are shamed for supporting someideas.

West called HB 1775 an anti-discrimination measure to keep schools from teaching racial stereotypes.

Make no mistake about it, hesaid. Were in a fight for the future of our children and our grandchildren. The theories and tenets of critical race theory, that curriculum … that goes against everything this nation was founded on and everything that we, as a nation, have fought so hard to keep.

"The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness has no color, has no sex.

Some critics say critical racetheory is based in Marxism.

House Democrats said HB 1775 is an attempt to whitewash history and alleged the bill is a political stunt so Republicans have something to tout on the campaign trail.

"This is one of those bills that will pop up on campaign mailers when it comes to next year's elections," said House Minority Floor Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman.

When questioned about the bill, West said tenets of critical race theory are being taught in Oklahoma schools and universities, but gaveanecdotal examples that lacked specifics. Without giving details, West said he'd read stories about first-grade studentswho were forced to deconstruct their racial and sexual identities.

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House Democrats expressed concerns that the bill could preventstudents from learning abouttheTulsa Race Massacre, the Trail of Tears or the Osage murders parts of Oklahoma history in which race inherently playeda role.

West said the bill would not prevent the teaching of history, nor would it prevent sexual harassment and misconduct trainingthat some college students must undergo.

This bill will in no way stop the teaching of history or anything currently in our Oklahoma education standards, including curriculum that shows historical examples of racism or genocide, West said in a statement. This bill simply says that teachers cant force a student to answer that they are inherently racist or sexist or that they must feel personally responsible for things perpetrated in the past by people of a similarraceor gender.

HB 1775 also seeks to prevent Oklahomas public colleges and universities from engaging students in any form of mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling.

If signed into law, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Education would be tasked with creating rules for schools and colleges to follow the law.

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Virgin, who represents Norman,said she thinks the University of Oklahoma has major objections to the bill.

"They have taken huge strides in making sure that everyone feels welcome on their campus," she said. "That's what freshmen orientation programs are about, is making it clear that this is an inclusive space and an inclusive environment and no one should be made to feel that they don't belong."

HB 1775 included an emergency clause, which means the law could take effect immediately if signed by the governor.

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to decide on bill to ban teaching of critical race theory - Oklahoman.com