A $5 Million Fine for Classroom Discussions on Race? In Tennessee, This Is the New Reality

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Ida Bae Wells
@nhannahjones
“Tennessee aims to levy fines starting at $1 million up to $5 million on school districts each time one of their teachers is found to have “knowingly violated” state restrictions on classroom discussions about systemic racism, white privilege, and sexism.”
080321 Tennessee Education Commissioner CRT AP BS

A $5 Million Fine for Classroom Discussions on Race? In Tennessee, This Is the New Reality
A Tennessee mother has already filed a complaint that a lesson on Ruby Bridges and Martin Luther King Jr. made white students uncomfortable.
edweek.org
5:50 AM · Aug 4, 2021

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-5-million-fine-for-classroom-discussions-on-race-in-tennessee-this-is-the-new-reality/2021/08

Tennessee aims to levy fines starting at $1 million and rising to $5 million on school districts each time one of their teachers is found to have “knowingly violated” state restrictions on classroom discussions about systemic racism, white privilege, and sexism, according to guidance proposed by the state’s department of education late last week.

Teachers could also be disciplined or lose their licenses for teaching that the United States is inherently racist or sexist or making a student feel “guilt or anguish” because of past actions committed by their race or sex.

The guidance received immediate backlash from advocates of students of color in the state who say it would have a disproportionate impact on already underfunded, majority Black and Latino school districts.

“There’s also a fear for young students of color who are in districts that are majority white and now there’s no protection for them and their white student peers in learning about truthful history and racism,” said Cardell Orrin, the executive director of Stand for Children Tennessee, a group that advocates for historically disenfranchised students.

*snip*

[jmbar2]

1. Start free afternoon school programs close-by

"Our Censored History: What they don't want you to know"

[EarlG]

2. FREEDOM!

Because nothing says freedom like fining school districts $1 million if one of their teachers dares to discuss the state-restricted subjects of racism and sexism.

[Nevilledog]

3. *sigh*

[Generic Other]

4. Tennessee race to the bottom

So even mentioning King’s name is not allowed in the state where he was assassinated. Got it.