Thread by @jbendery

Good morning! ☕️

A thing that quietly happened last night was that the Texas governor signed a law aimed at stopping teachers from talking about racism and also current events or public policy or social issues considered controversial. huffpost.com/entry/texas-re…

This new Texas law specifies all kinds of things relating to racism -- structural, historical -- that social studies teachers aren’t allowed to talk about as part of a course.

Let's see what they are!

Social studies teachers in Texas can no longer make it part of a course to talk about the concept -- just the concept -- that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex."

They can't talk about the *concept* that someone could “be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual’s race."

They can’t talk about the *concept* that “an individual’s moral character, standing, or worth is necessarily determined by the individual’s race or sex.”

They can’t talk about the *concept* that “an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress” based on their race or sex.

They can’t talk about the *concept* that “meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race.”

They can’t talk about the *concept* that “the advent of slavery” in the United States was central to the founding of the United States.

They can’t talk about the *concept* that “slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to” America's founding principles.

And they definitely can’t talk about The 1619 Project, the award-winning project launched by The New York Times Magazine that puts the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of America’s national narrative.

This new Texas law doesn't explicitly use the word “ban” for convos about racism. But it might as well, says state Democratic Rep. James Talarico.

“The idea is to put in landmines so any conversation about race in the classroom would be impossible.”

"The idea is to whitewash American history of any legacy of racism," says Talarico.

The new Texas law also states that teachers don’t have to take any professional training ― like cultural proficiency and equity training ― that might make them feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress” because of their race or gender.

Yeah.

Talarico nearly killed this bill late last month.

He went on the House floor and pointed out that the Senate added unrelated amendments to it, which is not allowed. He was right. It went back to the Senate where it normally wouldn't have had enough time to be fixed.

But...

...Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick bypassed rules to push the bill through anyway.

He possibly violated the Texas Constitution, and also violated Senate rules that prohibit passing a House bill after the 135th day of a lege session. He pushed through the bill on the 137th day.

The law is very likely headed to court.

"The question is whether it is an institutional challenge, a process challenge, or a free speech challenge," says Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston professor and expert in Texas politics. huffpost.com/entry/texas-re…

Here's where things get extra confusing.

Democrats were able to attach an amendment to the bill to require educators to teach the history of white supremacy.

How are they supposed to do that if they can't talk about so many other aspects of racism?

Dems were also able to amend the bill to require teachers to talk about key historical figures like Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King Jr.

But... teachers can't talk about the concept that a person could “be discriminated against ... because of the individual’s race.” ?

I've already heard from one Texas public school teacher since starting this thread.

"I’m just hoping my employer has my back because now I could be accused of teaching my students to violate the law."

Anyway, this became Texas law last night and you can read more about it here.

Carry on with your day! 🙃huffpost.com/entry/texas-re…