GOP legislatures across the country move to ban critical race theory from classrooms

Republican-controlled legislatures in at least half a dozen states have either already passed legislation or are currently advancing measures that would ban or limit the teaching of critical race theory in public schools, the Hill reported Wednesday, calling the collective push "a new front in the culture wars that is likely to expand far more broadly in the coming years."

What are the details?

Idaho became the first state in the country to prohibit teaching of the progressive theory, which re-examines the makeup of society through a racial lens and is based on the premise that race is a socially constructed concept used to oppress and exploit people of color. Proponents of the theory believe that America is inherently racist and that racism is embedded within the country's institutions.

Idaho's bill, signed into law last week by Republican Gov. Brad Little, bans educators and institutions from forcing students to "affirm, adopt, or adhere" to any teaching that professes that any particular race "is inherently superior or inferior" or "inherently responsible for actions committed in the past."

Tennessee's state legislature followed shortly, passing a law this week that bans teaching that "one race or sex is superior," that "any individuals are inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive because of their race or sex," or that "the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist."

In Oklahoma, a bill banning critical race theory has reportedly passed through both legislative chambers and is now heading to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk to be signed.

Similar legislation has been introduced in states such as Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas and is reportedly being considered in Utah and West Virginia.

What else?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed in March to purge his state's schools of "wacko theories" such as critical race theory, adding, "Teaching kids to hate their country and to hate each other is not worth one red cent of taxpayer money."

The outspoken conservative governor took a more active approach to the issue by introducing a $106 million proposal to promote civics literacy and civics education in public schools.

Under the proposal, teachers who complete civics training would be eligible for a $3,000 bonus.

Anything else?

The push to eradicate critical race theory from schools in comes in response to educators across the country recently plugging the woke ideology into curricula amid the ongoing national debate over racial injustice.

As just one example, TheBlaze reported earlier this year on a newly implemented curriculum into public schools in Buffalo, New York, which taught that "all white people play a part in perpetuating systemic racism" and that American society was designed for the "impoverishment of people of color and enrichment of white people."