BOISE, Idaho — Idaho senators on Wednesday adopted a resolution that criticizes critical race theory and encourages Idaho schools to teach history “clearly and wholly.”
The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Carl Crabtree, a Grangeville Republican, was adopted on a voice vote after facing some public opposition among Democrats.
The resolution claims “divisive content” that “seeks to disregard the history of the United States and the nation’s journey to becoming a pillar of freedom in the world” is appearing in school curriculum across the country. It specifically names critical race theory and “The 1619 Project,” a feature by The New York Times on slavery’s impact, which it said “attempt to reeducate children into the belief that they are to be ashamed of or limited by their race and ethnicity.”
The resolution calls for Idaho schools to teach students about both the triumphs and offenses in the country’s history.
“It is imperative that children are taught about mistakes as well as unprecedented accomplishments toward freedom and fairness for all,” the resolution said.
On the Senate floor, Crabtree on Wednesday talked about the importance of presenting history in an accurate way. He said the resolution calls for children to be taught how to think, not what to think.
Critical race race theory, according to the American Bar Association, “recognizes that racism is not a bygone relic of the past. 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.”
Senate Democrats raise concerns about resolution’s message
Democratic senators raised concerns that the resolution could make it appear that “divisive content” was being taught in Idaho schools and could make it more difficult for teachers. The resolution does not point to any issues in Idaho specifically.
Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking said there was no definition for “divisive content,” and expressed concern about what could fall under that category. She said it’s “very problematic” that the resolution could send a message that Idaho schools are teaching critical race theory and not presenting all sides.
Opponents said they didn’t have an issue with the entire resolution, but pointed to certain parts of it that concerned them.
“I feel like resolutions and bills like this essentially advocate for censorship of what our students learn, and I cannot support that,” Democratic Sen. David Nelson said.
The issue of what is being taught in Idaho classrooms has received a lot of examination over the past year, Sen. Grant Burgoyne said.
He said he didn’t want people to use the resolution in ways it wasn’t intended.
“What we found was that our Idaho teachers and our Idaho educators are doing a good job,” he said. “They’re doing what all of our people want them to do, which is to educate our children, educate them with the values of our state, with the values of our parents.”
Supporters said ‘we want to talk about our successes’
Those who supported the resolution said it simply encourages schools in Idaho to talk about the country’s entire history and its contributions to the world.
“We all know that critical race theory, and the tearing down the statutes and different things, is taking place in other states. We don’t want that to happen here,” Sen. Steven Thayn said. “What (the resolution) says is we need to teach the history, our mistakes, our failures and our successes. … We want to talk about our successes, and why the United States was so successful.”
Sen. Jim Rice said while he doesn’t think any particular teachers in Idaho are likely teaching these divisive concepts, it has become “part of the discussion” across the country.
On the Senate floor, Rice read the 1946 poem from a pastor about the Holocaust. He said before World War II, there was a teaching of “race guilt” in Europe that “culminated in” the genocide of Jewish people.
“It’s important that we recognize the good and the evil in our past,” he said. “But it is very important that we not assign guilt to people who didn’t do something, merely because they are the same race, ethnicity, gender, or whatever, religious background, where their ancestors came from.”
Idaho lawmakers have been discussing fears of critical race theory for well over a year. Last year, the legislature passed a bill sparked by discussions of critical race theory, and last summer, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin formed a task force to look in unsubstantiated claims of indoctrination happening in Idaho schools.
The task force, made up primarily of people who agreed with its claim and including few educators, met four times and ended its final meeting with a set of vague recommendations.
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