Your Views: On HB 1775


Republicans in the Oklahoma Legislature spoke loud on HB 1775

“It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.” The source of this quote is unclear, but Oklahoma Republican legislators might want to adopt this as their motto.

Recently both the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed HB 1775 and sent it to Gov. Kevin Stitt. HB 1775 is described as the “anti-diversity training bill.” Just ponder that statement for a moment. In the centennial year of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Oklahoma Legislature feels it is necessary to protect Oklahoma primary, secondary, and college and university students from information that might cause them to critically examine the role of race and culture in the formation of Oklahoma’s identity.

Rep. Kevin West, the bill’s author, says “a lot of the curriculum is specifically directed to make certain people feel discomfort or guilt or anguish and that’s what we’re trying to eliminate." Maybe I’m misinterpreting his statement, but it sounds to me like he doesn’t want his children to be exposed to the long Oklahoma history of exploitation of Native Americans, Blacks Americans and Hispanics.

In the House, the vote in favor of the bill was 77-18; the Senate voted 38-9 both along party lines. Republicans spoke loud and clear in both the House and Senate, and proclaimed, “We are fools!” 

— Dale Wares, Norman

Educators shouldn't jump to conclusions on HB 1775

First things first, I am grateful for Emily Busey’s editorial on May 8 sharing her concern over HB 1775. There is a reason that caring Americans tell our politicians, “Don’t just do something, stand there!” because, even when they have good intentions, their actions more often cause harm. Even so, I am not certain that is what has happened in the passing of this bill. 

Ms. Busey begins her piece by asking, “Why is it hard for us to accept our past?” It isn’t. However, it is very difficult to get an honest education in regards to our past. Americans are famously uneducated about their own country’s history. One sometimes hears that not all politicians are bad; it’s just that 99% give the rest a bad name. Similarly, close behind politicians are the modern media, and, increasingly, our educators are so regarded. Why? For example, during the American Civil War, the soldiers, usually not being educated past the sixth grade, wrote articulate, beautiful letters. Education in our country is now producing students needing remedial English and mathematics when entering college.  

HB 1775 is attempting to stem the teaching of systemic racism and not trying to stop teaching our children to think critically about race. Before we attempt to judge this legislation, we should see what transpires while remembering lessons taught us in the Good Book, Matthew 7:3-5 and more. Thus, let us hope our educators get back to mucking their own barn before jumping to conclusions on current issues.  

— Howard E. Halvorsen, Choctaw