Tell Governor Lee to Veto HB 0580/SB 0623 (The "Ban Critical Race Theory" Bill)
Statement from the MNEA Board of Directors
The Metropolitan Nashville Education Association unequivocally condemns HB 0580/SB 0623 that threatens to defund public schools if teachers discuss privilege, race, and systemic racism with their students. Specifically, this bill will:
-Prohibit educators from modeling how to have respectful and productive conversations about how race and racism have shaped American history and culture and continue to shape the systems of power in this country. This will curtail free speech in schools and stunt the academic, moral, and intellectual growth of Tennessee’s students.
-Erase the history of those who have resisted racist and sexist oppression to fight for a more just and liberated world from our already whitewashed US history standards and curriculum.
-Deny Tennessee's Black and Brown students the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the study of American history and culture, especially in ways that make them feel empowered and able to act with agency when they experience injustice.
-Deny white students the opportunity to see role models in the fight against white supremacy throughout American history, especially in ways that use their privilege to challenge injustice.
-Target deliberately and chronically underfunded urban school systems that serve majority Black and Brown communities.
-Exemplify racist bullying and intimidation directed at marginalized communities, adding to the trauma many of our students and teachers of color already experience on a daily basis.
-Stoke the fires of intolerance and fear mongering and adds to the "slate of hate" legislation targeting LGBTQIA+ children, school employees, and their families.
As Nashville educators, we call on Governor Lee to immediately veto this shameful and racist legislation. To this end, MNEA joins Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) in their letter campaign. Please take a moment to join us:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-governor-lee-to-veto-racist-anti-crt-legislation/.