Bill Passes Through Okla. House That Would Create State Curriculum On Civil Rights

A bill working to add a civil rights curriculum to Oklahoma schools passed through the House and will now head over to the Senate for consideration. It was highly debated on the House floor today as members raised many concerns, including possible 1775 violations.

“We cannot tell teachers how to teach,” said Representative John Waldron, (D) Tulsa.

House Bill 1397 would add a new course that districts can choose to provide to their students about the civil rights movement. Specifically, the course would cover events from 1954 to 1968, “the natural law and natural rights principles, and the tactics of nonviolent resistance employed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

The bill also reads, “There shall be an additional unit of instruction studying other acts of discriminatory injustice, such as genocide, committed elsewhere around the globe.”

“This curriculum doesn't really address some of the main things that Dr. King was trying to fight against,” said Rep. Meloyde Blancett, (D) Tulsa.

The author of the bill, Rep. Mark Lepack, said it’s meant to provide more transparency for our nation's history.

“This is meant to be a broader look at how you can approach division and hatred and conflict,” said Rep. Mark Lepack, (R) Claremore.

Rep. Lepack adds that this course is not necessary for any districts to adopt, it could act as an elective or be worked into currently taught coursework.

The State Department of Education would be required to develop the curriculum, which was another point of concern for many democratic house members.

“It is hard for me to put the legacy of Dr. King in the hands of a race baiting superintendent whose dog whistle politics are ripping apart the State Department of Education, I think everybody agrees with that on this floor,” said Rep. Monroe Nichols, (D) Tulsa.

“The State Superintendent is not an exemplary person. The State Superintendent says that he does not want to use the words culture, or diversity or inclusion or equity,” said Rep. Regina Goodwin, (D) Tulsa.

Ryan Walters told us in a statement, “I taught US history in a public school for 10 years. I have always enjoyed teaching about Martin Luther King Jr.’s enormous impact on our country . I will continue to advocate for our students to know American history.” 

Many democrats say they’re not necessarily opposed to the idea of implementing this curriculum, many just say they’re not sure that the bill language will be enough to properly implement it.

“I would love the chance to talk about this so that every student from all walks of life, every background in America, could understand that one part of the American tradition is systemic racism,” said Rep. John Waldron, (D) Tulsa.

Rep.Waldron and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants are both former teachers. They raised concerns about this potentially presenting more HB 1775 violations, and creating a gray area for teachers.

“I thought it was a good time to introduce this because I thought there was a lot of fear around what 1775 meant,” said Rep. Lepack.

The bill passed 55-42 out of the House and will now head over to the Senate for consideration.