Arkansas vs. Critical Race Theory

     Yet another state is seeing legislation introduced that bans the state from pushing “divisive concepts” of systemic inequality: This state being Arkansas!

     The main part of the legislation reads:

     As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Contractor” means all persons, individuals, corporations, or businesses of any kind that in any manner have entered into a contract, or perform a subcontract pursuant to a contract, with the state of Arkansas;

(2) “Divisive concept” means the concept that:(A) One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;

(B) The state of Arkansas or the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist;

(C) An individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously orunconsciously;

(D) An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex; (E) Members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex;

(F) determined by his or her race or sex;

(G) An individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members ofthe same race or sex;

(H) Any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex;

(I) Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race; or

(J) The term “divisive concept” includes any other form of

race or sex stereotyping or any other form of race or sex scapegoating;

(4) “Race or sex stereotyping” means ascribing character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race orsex, or to an individual because of his or her race or sex;

(5)(A) “Race or sex scapegoating” means assigning fault, blame,or bias to a race or sex, or to members of a race or sex because of theirrace or sex.

(B) “Race or sex scapegoating” encompasses any claim that,consciously or unconsciously, and by virtue of his or her race or sex, members of any race are inherently racist or are inherently inclined to oppress others, or that members of a sex are inherently sexist or inclined tooppress others; and(6)(A) “State entity” means an instrumentality of stategovernment, including

(i) The Department of Agriculture;

(ii) The Department of Commerce;(iii) The Department of Corrections;

(iv) The Department of Education;(v) The Department of Energy and Environment;(vi) The Department of Finance and Administration;(vii) The Department of Health;(viii) The Department of Human Services;(ix) The Department of the Inspector General;(x) The Department of Labor and Licensing;(xi) The Department of the Military;(xii) The Department of Parks, Heritage, andTourism;

(xiii) The Department of Public Safety;

(xiv) The Department of Transformation and Shared Services; and

(xv) The Department of Veterans Affairs; and

(B) “State entity” does not include:

(i) Political subdivisions of the state;

(ii) Public schools;

(iii) Charter schools;

(iv) Institutions of higher education; or

(v) The offices of constitutional officers.

25-1-602. Unlawful propagation of divisive concepts by a state entity.

(a) A state entity shall not teach, instruct, or train any employee, contractor, staff member, or any other individual or group, to adopt or believe any divisive concepts.

(b) No employee, contractor, or staff member, of the state of Arkansas shall face any penalty or discrimination on account of his or her refusal to support, believe, endorse, embrace, confess, act upon, or otherwise assent to the divisive concepts defined under § 25-1-601.

     The full bill as introduced can be read here or below:

Arkansas 2021 SB627 Draft by ThePoliticalHat

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