(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/3/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned an effort in that state’s legislature to ban anti-racism teaching.
A bill, filed for the 2022 legislative session, would bar teachers from talking about a list of concepts relating to discrimination, privilege or anything seen as “promoting division” between groups of people. The bill is similar to legislation introduced and passed in Republican-dominated statehouses across the country as pushback against discussions about systemic racism, white privilege and critical race theory (CRT) in classrooms. Under the proposed legislation, schools would be subject to fines and teachers subject to discipline if they talk about systemic anti-Black racism.
SEE: Ky. Lawmaker Wants to Make Teaching Critical Race Theory Illegal
What is critical race theory? What to know about Kentucky bill to limit racism discussions
Lawmaker wants to limit discussion of systemic racism in Kentucky classrooms
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
“It is vital that our nation’s young people learn about systemic anti-Black racism and the negative impact it has on our entire society,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Important discussions about racism, white privilege and white supremacy have been avoided for too long, to the detriment of minority communities and our nation’s stated values.”
He noted that CAIR has condemned similar efforts to ban anti-racism teaching in Tennessee, North Carolina, Idaho, Utah, Missouri, and New Hampshire.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Closure of NC Businesses Over Racist Receipts, Condemns NC Bill to Ban Anti-Racism Teaching
CAIR-MO Condemns Effort in Missouri Legislature to Ban Anti-Racism Teaching
Hooper said the American Muslim community and CAIR are standing in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Removal of KKK Leader’s Remains from Tennessee Park
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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-Kentucky Chair Salah Shakir, (859) 545-0651, sshakir@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com