States Pass Anti-Critical Race Theory Laws Restricting Teaching of Racism

Beginning in 2021, over 40 states introduced legislation restricting how race and racism could be taught in K-12 schools and universities. By 2023, at least 18 states had enacted such laws. Florida's Stop WOKE Act (signed April 2022) prohibited teaching that anyone is 'inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive' by virtue of race. Tennessee, Texas, Idaho, and others banned teaching that the U.S. is 'fundamentally racist.' Teachers reported self-censoring; librarians removed books; teachers faced firing for discussing slavery in unapproved ways. The laws frequently cited 'critical race theory' — an academic legal framework not taught in K-12 schools — as a threat.