Kristi Noem to block critical race theory in South Dakota

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has unveiled legislation she says will block the use of critical race theory (CRT) at public schools and universities in her state.  

“Our schools should teach our children our nation’s true and honest history,” Noem said in the statement announcing the effort. “They should teach about our successes in establishing a country that is a beacon of freedom to the world and our mistakes along the way. Our children should not, however, be taught the false and divisive message that they are responsible for the shortcomings of past generations and other members of our respective races.”

The proposed legislation does not use the words “critical race theory,” but targets concepts and beliefs derived from it. Noem’s statement lists ideas that the law would block:

• That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior;
• That individuals should be adversely treated or feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or
• That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.

The law is the latest step taken by the South Dakota governor to fulfill the “1776 Pledge to Save Our Schools,” a commitment to stop “anti-American indoctrination” of the younger generations. Noem signed the pledge in May, writing an op-ed with former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson explaining her decision.

“Critical race theory is a deliberate means to sow division and cripple our nation from within – one brainwashed and resentful student at a time,” Noem wrote in her piece. “And while foreign adversaries like China and Russia surely work to inflame our divisions, we are doing this to ourselves. 

The Pledge is largely seen as a response to The New York Times’ “1619 Project” that promotes the controversial claim that the United States is an inherently racist nation founded to preserve slavery. Although debunked, a history curriculum based on it has been embraced by public school districts nationwide.