Republicans Approve 'CRT' Bill Despite Opposition From All Black House Members
For six hours on Thursday, Black Mississippi House representatives argued against a bill that would set limits on discussions of race in classrooms. Once their arguments wrapped up, though, the chamber approved the bill in a 75-43 vote, sending it to the governor’s desk with only white Republicans voting in favor.
The bill’s short title is “Critical Race Theory; prohibit,” but the text of the bill neither mentions nor describes critical race theory, which is not taught in Mississippi’s K-12 schools despite some conservative lawmakers’ claims to the contrary. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines CRT as an “intellectual movement” that examines race as “a socially constructed category that is used to oppress and exploit people of color.”
Despite the fact that the bill does not actually address critical race theory, Black lawmakers warned that the legislation could nevertheless chill education on race and issues of systemic racism.
Rep. Donnie Scoggin, a white Ellisville Republican, told lawmakers on the floor that the bill will not affect the teaching of history. “History is history, and all we’re saying is there’s not going to be discrimination on race, creed or sex,” he said.
Read more: https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2022/mar/07/republicans-approve-crt-bill-despite-opposition-al/
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