Thread by @JeffreyASachs

This won't do. Bernstein is looking for a reason why Texas's anti-CRT law doesn't have to lead to instruction in Holocaust denial. But it just won't work.

https://twitter.com/DavidLBernstein/status/1449668058855849988

Left is the relevant provision from HB 3979, which is currently in effect. Right is SB3, which the state hastily passed last month once the deficiencies of 3979 became apparent. Minor differences, but the way they handle this issue is pretty much the same.

According to Texas teachers, the Holocaust is a "currently controversial issue". In fact, they claim that members of the public have explicitly raised it as one meriting an opposing view.

https://twitter.com/kampeas/status/1449709587964309508

To which Bernstein says, in essence, No problem! After all, there are plenty of valid controversies about the Holocaust, like the Goldhagen/Browning debate. Just teach those, he says, and ignore Holocaust denial all together.

ushmm.org/m/pdfs/Publica…

Again, that just won't work. If the provision in the Texas law about being even-handed when teaching controversial issues means anything, it means being even-handed *about the aspect of the issue that is generating controversy*.

And do we really think that the reason members of the Texas public are flagging the Holocaust as controversial is because of the Goldhagen/Browning debate? Let's be serious here.

Bernstein is looking for a work-around. A loophole that allows him to define the "opposing sides" of the Holocaust to something minor, esoteric, and relatively low stakes.

But that's like defining the opposing sides of white fragility as the debate between Kendi and DiAngelo.

I mean, I'm sure Kendi and DiAngelo have differing views on white fragility! But I'm also pretty sure that a Texas teacher who claimed on that basis to be teaching a controversial issue "from diverse and contending perspectives" would quickly find herself out of work.

Let's be real here. The point of the law is to ensure that when a controversial issue is discussed, teachers present opposing views on the debate that is causing the controversy. Anything else is absurd.

And I'm very sorry to say that with the Holocaust, that almost certainly means the debate over whether it happened.

Supporters of the Texas law need to bite the bullet. This is what you get.

Other very good perspectives on this debate:

dsadevil.blogspot.com/2021/10/justif…

and

jta.org/2021/10/15/uni…