January 2021

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.

Qualified immunity, a judicially created doctrine protecting government officials from civil rights suits unless they violated 'clearly established law,' continued to shield police officers from accountability. Studies showed courts granted qualified immunity in over 50% of cases. The doctrine was invented by the Supreme Court in Pierson v. Ray (1967) and expanded in Harlow v. Fitzgerald (1982) without basis in the text of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately in 2020 calling for the doctrine to be reconsidered. Congress blocked legislative fixes; the Supreme Court refused cert on multiple cases seeking to reconsider the doctrine.

Qualified immunity, a judicially created doctrine protecting government officials from civil rights suits, was granted by courts in over 50% of cases. The doctrine was invented by the Supreme Court without basis in the text of 42 U.S.C. Section 1983. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately in 2020 calling for reconsideration. Congress blocked legislative fixes; the Supreme Court refused cert on multiple cases seeking to revisit the doctrine.

On January 5, 2021, Raphael Warnock won the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election, becoming the first Black Senator elected from Georgia. The pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, Warnock won alongside Jon Ossoff, flipping the Senate to Democratic control. Warnock's win was attributed to years of voter registration and organizing by Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight Action and the New Georgia Project.

Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the 49th Vice President on January 20, 2021, becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Harris's candidacy faced racist and sexist attacks including questions about her eligibility that echoed birtherism targeting Barack Obama.

Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the 49th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2021, becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Harris had previously served as California Attorney General and U.S. Senator. Her election was seen as a historic milestone and the result of decades of Black women's organizing and political work. Harris's candidacy faced racist and sexist attacks including questions about her eligibility that echoed birtherism targeting Barack Obama.