by Bryan Kim ‘23

On May 10, 2021, Oklahoma passed a law, prohibiting public school lessons and discussions on race and gender issues. A group of educators, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), filed a lawsuit against the newly implemented policy. ACLU argues the law violates educators’ and students’ constitutional rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom. According to the law, in-school lessons or discussions showing that “an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive” are banned. Any teachers found teaching lessons on these subjects, can have their license revoked and schools can lose their accreditation. Oklahoma is one of five Republican-controlled states to place laws attempting to prevent the teaching of critical race theory. 

Under the new policy, students will not be able to learn viewpoints and experiences of “all historically marginalized communities in this country”, claims ACLU. The state has a very racist history, including events such as the Tulsa Massacre and the use of boarding schools to force Native Americans to assimilate, so discussions on race are especially important in Oklahoman schools.  Minorities will be severely underrepresented in history curriculums without the inclusion of race and gender. Policies like these will only teach student’s the false narrative that America is now an equitable society and is fair for everyone.