How to Take Action Against Anti-Truth School Curriculum Policies in South Carolina
You may have heard about a nationwide attack on inclusive curriculum and books that center marginalized communities that has been sweeping the nation. The Pro-Truth in SC coalition, dedicated to fighting these bills, recognizes this type of legislation as attempts to prohibit all diversity and inclusion efforts, race-conscious policies, and educational efforts.
These bills seem to have two main objectives. The primary focus seems to be on “protecting” white male students from learning about our country’s history with racism. The bills require that the school system – and in the cases of some bills, many businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental departments – not discuss racism, marginalization, oppression, and other inequities. They are attacks on free speech, on discussions about the truthful history of race in the U.S., and the lived experiences of Black people and other people of color.
The secondary focus of the bills seems to be attacking the lived humanity of LGBTQ+ students and employees. It’s part of a coordinated effort from anti-LGBTQ activists, who are grasping at new school-based discrimination attempts, including excluding transgender students from school sports, banning LGBTQ-themed books from school libraries, and altogether chilling speech about LGBTQ identity and history. The SC United coalition, in partnership with Josh Malkin of the ACLU of SC, has created a document that dives into the specific anti-LGBTQ elements of the legislation. Click here to view the document.
A hearing on the bills will be held by the South Carolina House Education and Public Works Committee on Wednesday, February 16. Here’s how you can take action:
Submit Written Testimony: Anyone and everyone can submit written testimony. If you haven’t already submitted testimony, use this site and share with your networks to help write testimony and submit it.
Urge Lawmakers to Make the Hearing Accessible: Given the times of these hearings, many students, educators, working parents and constituents may be unable to make these hearings in person. Based on feedback, the Truth in Education SC coalition created a sign-on letter for the Committee to make accommodations to make the hearing more accessible, including having them later in the day and allowing virtual testimony. Please sign on and share with your networks. Just click here.
Urge Business Leaders to Take Action: If you’re a business leader or if you know someone who is, please take note of this sign-on letter from the business community highlighting the potential harms of these bills generally, and businesses specifically. Sign on by February 15.
Thanks for taking action, South Carolina!