Gov. Reynolds: No More ‘Divisive’ Teaching in Iowa Schools

It's was not a long bill, but it's was a loaded one that's aimed to generate national attention, even if it's not all negative. I'm referring to a bill passed in March, now signed into law on Tuesday (6/9), by Governor Kim Reynolds. House File 802 bans any and all teaching about white privilege and racial equity during any diversity training/lectures at all public school grade levels, and in all of Iowa's public colleges and universities. But what does that mean, exactly?

Teachers/professors have to avoid 10 "divisive concepts"

House file 802 bans 10 separate concepts that the House of Representatives deemed divisive, KCRG reports.

This include:

• (The idea) that the United States of America and the state of Iowa 28 are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist.
• (The idea) that one sex or race is inherently superior to another sex or race
• (The idea) that an individual, by virtue of an individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive consciously or unconsciously.

The KCRG report states the ACLU feels the new law signed by Gov. Reynolds blatantly suppresses speech about race. Reynolds feels teaching critical race theory is about “discriminatory indoctrination.” In a statement she said,

Critical Race Theory is about labels and stereotypes, not education. It teaches kids that we should judge others based on race, gender or sexual identity, rather than the content of someone’s character

Iowa democrats previously contested the bill will 'cancel reality'. In March, the bill passed along party lines.