Commission members sent a letter to Governor Kevin Stitt yesterday criticizing his signing of the bill that bans the teaching of critical race theory in Oklahoma schools into law.
By Janelle Stecklein/ CNHI State Reporter May 12, 2021
2 hrs ago
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks during a news conference Feb. 11 in Oklahoma City. AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
OKLAHOMA CITY â An Oklahoma lawmaker abruptly resigned from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission after the governor â a fellow commissioner â signed a bill banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.
The dispute occurred just weeks before the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which happened May 31-June 1, 1921, resulting in the deaths of perhaps 100 to 300 Black residents in Tulsaâs Greenwood District, historians say.
âWith the signing of House Bill 1775, our fellow commissioner, Gov. Kevin Stitt, has cast an ugly shadow on the phenomenal work done during the last five years,â wrote Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, in his resignation letter. âGov. Stitt has chosen to align himself with folks who
OKLAHOMA CITY â Claiming its passage would avoid feelings of âshameâ among schoolchildren, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 1775 into law on May 7, which prohibits schools from teaching that one ethnicity or gender is superior to others, or that people by virtue of race or gender are inherently bigoted.
Supporters say the bill is intended to prevent distress among students when learning about history and race, while detractors say it will force teachers to mask much of the racial strife interwoven with the countryâs past.
âWe can, and should, teach this history without labeling a young child as an âoppressorâ or requiring he or she feel guilt or shame based on their race or sex,â Stitt said. âI refuse to tolerate otherwise.â
Race massacre commission leader rips gov for signing bill
By SEAN MURPHYMay 11, 2021 GMT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A leader of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Commission sent Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt a scathing letter on Tuesday over Stitt’s signing of a bill that prohibits the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism in Oklahoma schools.
Phil Armstrong, the commission’s project manager, said the commission was “gravely disappointed” that neither Stitt nor a representative chose to attend a meeting Monday night to discuss the signing of House Bill 1775. Stitt is also a member of the commission.
“Indeed, your office failed to even extend the courtesy of a reply to the Centennial Commission’s invitation,” Armstrong wrote.
Calls Grow To Remove Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt From Tulsa Race Massacre Commission After He Signs Critical Race Theory Bill
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Image: Youtube/ Kevin Stitt
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill into law that bans the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) Friday, now residents and activists want him removed from the Tulsa Race Massacre Commission.
Stitt signed the bill Friday and released a video on Twitter explaining why he signed the bill banning CRT, using the GOP line that now is the time to unite the country.
My statement on HB 1775. pic.twitter.com/2EgMh7A7xZ