Two weeks after the House filed its version of legislation banning the teaching of “divisive concepts” in Georgia schools, state Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Toccoa) Thursday unveiled SB 377 which hits most of the same notes.
A whopping 29 Republican Senators jumped in to co-sign the bill, including notably Sens. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) and Burt Jones (R-Jackson), both running for lt. governor with a primary faceoff in May. Hatchett himself is an ally of Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, so his sponsorship lends it Senate leadership’s tacit support. Critical race theory has become a hot button issue over the past year, figuring heavily into Republican Glenn Youngkin’s gubernatorial win in Virginia and proving to be a sticking point for GOP voters.
Gov. Brian Kemp put the issue at the forefront of his legislative agenda for the year, a stance echoed by his primary opponent, former U.S. Sen. David Perdue. Democrats have been uniform in their opposition to the bans, arguing that CRT is not currently taught in K-12 schools.
To that point, the words “critical race theory” are not seen anywhere in SB 377. Instead the bill calls out “divisive concepts” which include, among others:
- That one race or ethnicity is inherently superior to another race or ethnicity;
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The United States of America and the State of Georgia are fundamentally or systemically racist;
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An individual, solely because of his or her race, skin color, or ethnicity, is inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously
The bill would prohibit not only K-12 schools but also the University System of Georgia (and its 26 member schools), the Technical College System of Georgia, and all state agencies from teaching or promoting said “divisive concepts.”
“Critical Race Theory has stoked an intense debate around the country and here in Georgia. In order to have an honest dialogue, we have to define the terms of the discussion,” said Hatchett after dropping the bill.
“We must stop divisive concepts from being taught in Georgia Colleges and Universities and seeping down into our k-12 schools, concepts that an overwhelming majority of Georgians outright reject. The bottom line is this: we must ensure that no student is taught to feel guilty or “less than” because of how they were born. Scapegoating and stereotyping are not acceptable teaching methods. Period.”
