Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill into law that has been falsely described by Republican lawmakers as banning the teaching of “critical race theory” in public schools and community colleges. The actual bill, Senate Bill 2113, prohibits schools from teaching or forcing students to affirm any inherent superiority or inferiority based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.
Reeves claimed that critical race theory is “running amok” in America, painting a grim portrait of an America where students are coerced into declaring themselves oppressors and feeling guilty about their skin color. However, experts say this portrayal is misleading. Critical race theory is actually an intellectual movement that examines race as a socially constructed category used to oppress people of color.
The bill’s author, Sen. Michael McLendon, admitted he was not aware of critical race theory being taught in any Mississippi classrooms and acknowledged concerns from constituents about the issue. However, Reeves portrayed this as a battle against “radical left” activists who seek to “tear down unity.”
Critics argue that the bill is broad, vague, and allows the state to strip funding from schools for violating it. Educators say the bill will cause confusion and chill classroom speech, as students are perceptive of systemic injustices in their communities.
Reeves claimed the bill aims only to “humiliate” and “indoctrinate” students, but experts argue that this is not accurate. The bill’s actual provisions do not include any measures to make students feel guilty or uncomfortable based on their race.
Ultimately, Reeves made several predictions about how the law would be received, including claims that critical race theory proponents would claim it prevents teaching history. However, critics warn that the bill will have a chilling effect on discussions of important historical events and systemic injustices in education.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/gov-reeves-claims-critical-race-theory-humiliates-white-people-at-bill-signing