Recently, the Department of Education, Commission for Human Rights and Department of Justice released a “Frequently Asked Questions” document for K-12 Educators and Districts regarding the new critical race theory law, Right to Freedom from Discrimination in Public Workplaces and Education. In summation it states, “In short, do not teach that a person or a group is inherently oppressive, superior, inferior, racist, or sexist.”

On the surface this all sounds very fair and reasonable; however, there is one big problem. Some individuals and groups are indeed racists, sexists, and oppressive. So in other words, teachers wouldn’t be able to identify neo-Nazis and white supremacists as racists, or that certain groups are sexists and oppressive for holding beliefs which would deny equal rights to women and the LGBTQ community. Instead, students would have to make their own inferences.

Supporting this position, the Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut said that we “want to teach children about racism but not to be racists.” Well of course we don’t want to teach children to be racists; that’s a no-brainer. In my 40 years as a high school social studies teacher, a supervisor of teachers, and in my many interactions with teachers from across the country, I have never known a public school teacher who promoted racist, sexists, or oppressive ideology.

Unfortunately, this legislation, which has caused a lot of conflict and confusion, is a solution to a problem that never existed. Personally I never heard of critical race theory or divisive concepts until recently when those on the far right made it an issue.

So then, what’s the real issue? First, lots and lots of language was added to the legislation to make it sound anti-discriminatory but also designed to mask its real intent. Basically it’s an anti-freedom of speech act which would silence teachers from openly discussing topics that some on the far right find uncomfortable.

Throughout history book burning was how political forces attempted to suppress “divisive concepts.” Today we simply pass legislation to ban discussion on topics that some find controversial. Those who truly love freedom are not afraid to have an honest and open exchange of ideas.