Voters Oppose States Censoring Discussions of Racism in Schools
By Anika Dandekar
Eighteen states across America have approved some state-level action — in the form of an executive order or legislation — to limit discussions of racism in K-12 schools, and at least 12 more states are following suit. For example, North Dakota currently bans teaching “that racism is systemically embedded in American society,” Iowa penalizes districts that teach “race scapegoating,” Oklahoma law restricts the teaching of the idea that individuals “bear responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race,” Georgia law prohibits the teaching of “divisive subjects” such as that “the United States of America is fundamentally racist,” and New Hampshire law dictates that “no pupil in any public school” will be taught that individuals are “inherently racist [...] whether consciously or unconsciously.” This is despite the fact that empirical research, using numerous metrics, has shown systemic racial biases in virtually every American institution.
A new survey conducted by Data for Progress finds that majorities of voters support the teaching of racism (both historical and modern-day), slavery, the Black Lives Matter movement, political activism, and African American studies in K-12 schools. We also find that voters across party lines agree with the sentiment that students should be exposed to a multitude of perspectives for a well-rounded education, rather than being limited to ideas that some lawmakers say will prevent guilt about identity. Though polarized along party lines, voters — especially those of color — trust Democrats more than Republicans to address racial injustices in the country.
Voters’ Awareness of State Racism Discussion Restrictions
We asked voters how much they have read or heard about state lawmakers restricting discussions of institutional racism in K-12 schools. Likely voters have high levels of awareness on this issue: 68 percent say they have heard “a lot” or “some” about the topic. Seventy-three percent of Democrats, 67 percent of Independents, and 61 percent of Republicans say they have heard “a lot” or “some” about state lawmakers restricting discussions of institutional racism in K-12 schools.
Voters’ Attitudes Toward Race-Related K-12 Curricula
We asked voters whether a number of topics currently facing threats of censorship across multiple U.S. states should be discussed in an age-appropriate manner or not discussed at all. We find that voters believe all of the following should be discussed in schools:
Slavery, by a +72-point margin
American history of racism, by a +65-point margin
Economic theories and systems other than capitalism, such as socialism and Marxism, by a +52-point margin
Modern-day racism, by a +46-point margin
Social and political activism, by a +42-point margin
Divisive or controversial subjects, by a +37-point margin
Intersectionality of social categories such as race, class, gender, or sexuality, by a +27-point margin
Black Lives Matter movement, by a +13-point margin
Reparations for slavery, by a +12-point margin
We find that Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike support teaching slavery, both modern-day and historical racism, economic theories and systems other than capitalism, social and political activism, and controversial subjects in an age-appropriate manner. Majorities of both Democrats and Independents support discussions of intersectionality and the Black Lives Matter movement. A majority of Democrats and a plurality of independents support discussions of reparations for slavery as well.
Some state lawmakers, such as Republican governors from Virginia and Florida, have announced opposition to a pilot Advanced Placement (AP) course, AP African American studies, being taught. We asked voters whether they would support or oppose the course being taught in high schools in their own community. Two-thirds of voters (66 percent) would support the teaching of AP African American studies in high schools in their own community, including 89 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents, and 44 percent of Republicans. Strong majorities of Black, white, and Latino/a voters support the teaching of AP African American studies in their community by respective net margins of +85, +34, and +53 points.
State lawmakers who propose restrictions on race-related discussions say that these discussions and materials could be taught in an ideologically motivated way and lead to guilt about identity and resentment toward American systems. We tested whether voters agree with this line of thinking, or if they instead believe students should be exposed to many points of view and come to their own conclusions with a well-rounded education. Over two-thirds of voters (68 percent) say that students should be exposed to a variety of perspectives in their social studies, rather than being limited by what some lawmakers believe might be ideologically motivated or lead to guilt about identity. Majorities of Democrats (87 percent) and Independents (71 percent), as well as a plurality of Republicans (49 percent), say that students must be taught many points of view for a well-rounded education, and not necessarily be restricted to ideas that lawmakers agree with.
Democrats Hold a Trust Advantage on Handling Racial Injustice
Voters trust the Democratic Party over the Republican Party, by a +10-point margin, to address racial injustice in America, including almost all Democrats (97 percent) and a plurality of Independents (47 percent, by a +17-point margin). Republicans trust the Republican Party over the Democratic Party to address racial injustice in America by a +76-point margin. White voters are split, with 44 percent trusting Democrats more and 45 percent trusting Republicans more. Voters of color overwhelmingly prefer Democrats on this issue, with Black voters trusting Democrats over Republicans by a +77-point margin and Latino/a voters sharing that sentiment by a +26-point margin.
Conclusion
Though 18 states have already enacted state-level restrictions on discussion of racism with students, our survey finds that voters across partisan lines support comprehensive instruction on topics such as slavery, racism, and political activism. Significant majorities of voters across racial identities support teaching AP African American studies and about the Black Lives Matter movement as well. This support is driven by the bipartisan belief that students should be exposed to a multitude of perspectives for a well-rounded education and be allowed to form their own stances, rather than being bound to viewpoints that some lawmakers deem fit.
State bans limiting the discussion of systemic racism are an affront to democracy both in their nature — entirely out of touch with the values of the American people — and in their effect — controlling the public narrative, silencing dissenting views, stifling intellectual inquiry, and reinforcing existing power structures. However difficult, teachers and schools must inform students about structural racism, which, according to a large body of research, very much does exist within American institutions such as housing, elections, healthcare, employment, and criminal justice. That Democrats have a trust advantage on the issue of racial injustice, especially among marginalized groups, highlights the party’s responsibility to forcefully push back on such an authoritarian approach from Republicans with progressive policies that encourage inclusive education. It is imperative we reject attempts to limit discussions of racism and create educational environments that foster critical thinking, so our students can become informed and active citizens equipped to create a more equitable country.
Anika Dandekar is a senior analyst at Data for Progress.