RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate passed Senate Bill 227 today, which would ban the discussion of twelve “divisive concepts” in public schools, most of which relate to race and gender. The bill also prohibits public schools from providing professional development opportunities that include these “divisive concepts.”
Some of the concepts prohibited in the bill include:
- “The United States was created by members of a particular race or sex for the purpose of oppressing members of another race or sex.”
- “Particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs should be ascribed to a race or sex or to an individual because of the individual’s race or sex.”
Many of these are not currently being taught in schools, but the bill’s vague language and intent may make it difficult for teachers to know what they can and cannot teach in the classroom. Other states where similar bills have passed have seen a chilling effect on free speech and productive classroom discussion.
“Students have a right to learn and talk about race and gender, have an open and honest dialogue about America’s history, and to receive an accurate inclusive education,” said Liz Barber, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the ACLU of North Carolina. “The ability to discuss and debate ideas, even those that some may find uncomfortable, is foundational to a student’s education and provides the building blocks for an informed electorate.”
You can read the full bill text here.