Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbot signed a bill Tuesday that specifies how history, race and current events should be covered in schools.
The law prohibits a curriculum where “an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s race or sex,” according to Texas Legislature Online.
The term Critical Race Theory (CRT) is not used in the House Bill 3979, but it addresses many concerns that GOP leaders have expressed about the curriculum. It prohibits teachings that assert individuals bear responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the individual’s same race or sex or that an individual is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive by virtue of their race or sex, the bill says.
CRT holds that America is fundamentally racist, yet it teaches students to view every social interaction and person in terms of race. Its adherents pursue “antiracism” through the end of merit, objective truth and the adoption of race-based policies. CRT has come under fire, specifically from conservative lawmakers for teaching that individuals are at fault for society’s problems due to their race or gender.
The new Texas legislation will go into effect Sept. 1 and gives a list of what historical texts can be taught in schools, which includes Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and “I Have a Dream” speech. Schools cannot “require an understanding of The 1619 Project,” the bill specifies.
The law requires teaching “the history of white supremacy, including but not limited to the institution of slavery, the eugenics movement, and the Ku Klux Klan, and the ways in which it is morally wrong.”
AUSTIN, TX – JUNE 08: State Rep. Chris Paddie (L) and State Senator Kelly Hancock (R) watch as Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs Senate Bills 2 and 3 during a press conference at the Capitol on June 8, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)
This law is similar to legislation from other states trying to ban controversial teachings promoting divisive concepts in its schools.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.