(WASHINGTON D.C., 1/12/2022) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expresses deep concerns about a bill proposed by Missouri Republican lawmakers that would ban anti-racism teaching in schools.
The so-called “Parents’ Bill of Rights” seeks to ban the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) and possibly exempt students from vaccination requirements.
SEE: Missouri lawmakers revisit banning the teaching of racism in 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
Hearing on bills to ban critical race theory, adopt parents’ bill of rights draws record response
In a statement, CAIR-Missouri Associate Executive Director Marwan Hameed, said:
“Presenting and discussing this bill represents the promotion of a manufactured controversy and a denial of systemic racism in our state and nation. It will give legislative credibility to the disinformation and misinformation campaigns that are already invading social media. Missouri legislators should focus, not on conspiracy theories, but on finding a way to help underpaid teachers and schools better navigate the ongoing health crisis caused by the COVID pandemic.”
He noted that CAIR had condemned similar efforts to ban anti-racism teaching in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Idaho, Utah, Missouri, New Hampshire, and other states.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Proposed South Dakota Bill Banning Anti-Racism Teaching
CAIR Calls for Independent Probe into Racism at N.C. School, Supports Anti-Racism Teaching in Utah After Backlash
CAIR Condemns New Hampshire ‘Bounty’ to Catch Educator’s 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-Missouri Associate Executive Director Marwan Hameed, executive.director@cair-mo.org, 314-722-6116; CAIR-Missouri Board Chair Yasir Ali, Yasir.ali@cair-mo.org, 314-722-6116; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com