Texas House passes bill targeting ‘critical race theory’ over objections from education, civics and business groups

Texas’ legislation would prohibit teachers from receiving training that “presents any form of race or sex stereotyping or blame.” And it would ban them from teaching that “an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously” or that someone should feel “guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress” due to their race.

Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, initially introduced the bill by asking: “Do you want our Texas kids to be taught that the system of government in Texas and the United States is nothing but a cover-up for white supremacy?”

Rep. Mary González, D-El Paso, pushed back, noting she earned her doctorate in part by doing academic research using critical race theory texts. The ideas “healed” her, she said, and helped her understand society. She repeatedly pressed Toth to share how many critical race theory books he’s read — cover to cover — to inform his legislation. He responded by saying he’s read papers.

“So you want to ban a whole subject of theory because you have read a couple of white papers?” she retorted. González later said people should only vote on the legislation if they’ve read critical race theory texts for themselves.

Her line of questioning set the tone for hours of heated debate that stretched from Monday night into early Tuesday morning, as lawmakers went back and forth over more than two dozen amendments. When the bill came up for final approval Tuesday evening, she and House Democrats once again tried to halt it.