Sen. Bradley’s divisive concepts amendment is yet another attempt to whitewash American history by intimidating schoolteachers into avoiding important conversations about race and mischaracterizing history lessons and current event discussions on racism and sexism as some plot to undermine America.
The past and the present are interconnected. It’s impossible to teach America’s history without discussing injustice, especially when present-day events mirror historical lessons.
The vagueness of this amendment makes it very unclear how it will impact history lessons in New Hampshire. What is very clear, however, are the sanctions for educators who violate it – disciplinary sanction by the state board of education.
Such harsh action being applied to a vaguely written statute could result in an overwhelming backlog of disciplinary hearings at the state department of education, as New Hampshire educators persevere in their commitment to prepare our students to succeed in the world.
To advance real solutions, we need to address real problems. As teachers, we have opportunities to constructively address the issues of race and gender equity. These opportunities need to be seized and managed. Not muzzled and criminalized.