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In recent months Republican lawmakers in close to a dozen states have aggressively made legislative advances against the GOPs latest culture war target: critical race theory. Idaho governor Brad Little last month signed a bill supposedly designed to bar state-funded schools and universities from indoctrinating students into the view that any sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior. While Idahos law, which is the first of its kind, may not sound disagreeable in theory, it is a different story in action, as the legislation could ostensibly ban educators from teaching that present-day financial inequality is linked to Americas history of systemic racism. Critics of the legislation have also warned that it will stifle the First Amendment rights of teachers. Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Missouri, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Rhode Island have all introduced similar bills or amendments, or have proposed state mandates that would have a similar impact on schools.

While endorsing this legislative push during a presser with members of the House Freedom Caucus last month, GOP rep. Ralph Norman insisted that the country is in the middle of cultural warfare today, adding, Critical race theory asserts that people with white skin are inherently racist, not because of their actions, words, or what they actually believe in their heartbut by virtue of the color of their skin. Normans Freedom Caucus colleague Rep. Lauren Boebert accused Democrats of trying to teach our children to hate each other. Donald Trump deployed a similar narrative while issuing an executive mandate that barred federal agencies from giving certain sensitivity training. They were teaching people that our country is a horrible place, its a racist place, and they were teaching people to hate our country, explained Trump, whose order was ultimately rescinded by Joe Biden after previously being blocked by a federal judge.

Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt signed a law last month similar to that in Idaho. It claims to put a stop to schools teaching that moral character is inherently determined by his or her race or sex and bans lessons that could potentially cause students to feel discomfort or guilt on account of his or her race or sex. But the law will actually limit how openly Oklahomas educators, who teach in a state that was home to one of the worst instances of racial violence in U.S. history, can discuss racism and inequality. With Americas classrooms serving as the battleground for this culture war, educators even fear that their livelihoods will be caught in the crossfire. During an interview with NPR, a high school teacher in Oklahoma City explained that she is now unsure whether she is allowed to discuss present-day civil rights issues, including the murder of George Floyd. We need to do it, because our students desire it, Telannia Norfar told the outlet. But how do we do that without opening Oklahoma City public schools up to a lawsuit? Oklahoma City School Board chairperson Paula Lewis expressed the anxiety that the new legislation has caused for teachers, remarking to NPR, What if they say the wrong thing? What if somebody in their class during the critical thinking brings up the word oppression or systemic racism? Are they in danger? Is their job in danger?

The ACLU has condemned the new batch of legislation and questioned if the proposals violate the free speech rights of educators and students. A nationwide attempt to censor discussions of race in the classroom is underway, the free speech advocacy group wrote in a statement. These bills dont just set back progress in addressing systemic issues, they also rob young people of an inclusive education and blatantly suppress speech about race. Its up to state governors across the country to veto these harmful bills.

The Republicans push against antiracism teaching is only likely to accelerate ahead of the midterms, as Axioss Margaret Talev wrote this week that the partys strategy for the 2022 elections and beyond virtually assures raceand racismwill be central to political debate for years to come. Given that the right has struggled to demonize Biden, who enjoys higher approval ratings than his predecessor, it seems inevitable that Republicans will seize on culture war battles in hopes of winning back Congress next year. As pollster Christine Matthews told NPR, Republicans are wanting to make this about othering the Democrats and making them seem as extreme and threatening to white culture as possible.

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The GOPs Critical Race Theory Freakout Is Spreading Across America - Vanity Fair