(WASHINGTON D.C., 4/4/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Alaska lawmakers to ensure that a bill relating to “transparency and compelled speech in public education” does not prevent accurate teaching on the history of systemic racism in America.
Senate Bill 196, introduced by Republican senators, would require schools to post curriculums on websites, and prohibits compelling students or staff to adopt particular political opinions. The bill has been characterized as an attempt to prohibit the teaching of “critical race theory” (CRT).
According to the American Bar Association, “CRT recognizes that racism is not a bygone relic of the past. Instead, it acknowledges that the legacy of slavery, segregation, and the imposition of second-class citizenship on Black Americans and other people of color continue to permeate the social fabric of this nation.”
SEE: A Lesson on Critical Race Theory
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“The requirements this bill places on teachers to post so much of their curriculum online is onerous and unnecessary. While transparency and parental engagement are important, it is essential that teachers can do their jobs without being harassed and that all students can receive a full and accurate education on the history of our nation, including racism and white supremacism.”
McCaw added, “Given the use of unnecessary ‘critical race theory’ bans to limit the accurate teaching of history in other states, it is essential that Alaska lawmakers amend this bill to make it absolutely clear that no prohibitions will be placed on the teaching of history.”
McCaw noted that CAIR has condemned efforts to ban anti-racism teaching nationwide and that experts say critical race theory is taught in law schools, not in American public schools.
SEE: CAIR Urges Alabama Senate to Reject Bill Banning Anti-Racism Teaching
CAIR Welcomes Failure of West Virginia Bill Targeting Anti-Racism Teaching
CAIR Welcomes Failure of Wyoming Bills to Ban Anti-Racism Teaching
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La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com