The "fine people on both sides" in Social Studies

On Monday, the Texas House of Representatives is set to vote on HB 3979, which would tell teachers what they can and cannot teach in the classroom when it comes to civics instruction. It would require that when social studies, history, and government teachers discuss contentious subjects like racism, lynching, and slavery, the discussions must not give "deference to any one perspective." In other words, teachers would have to say there were "fine people on both sides" of issues like the Holocaust and Jim Crow.

Sound crazy? That's not all.

HB 3979 would discourage discussion of contemporary issues, such as the Capitol insurrection and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. It would prohibit teachers from encouraging civic engagement, such as writing letters to elected representatives. It would also prohibit teachers from discussing issues such as systemic racism.

Who would enforce these rules? What are the consequences?

Please join me in urging the Texas House to OPPOSE HB 3979! 

Click here to find out "Who represents me?" and Teach the Vote

Call, e-mail, or tweet at your state representative TODAY and ask them to stop this hateful bill!

Developing curriculum standards is the job of teachers and the State Board of Education, not the Texas Legislature. We should entrust our teachers to do what they are trained to do: TEACH. And we should let them do it without politicians breathing down their necks.

Please join me in helping defeat HB 3979.