Policy Matters Ohio, the non-profit lobbying for progressive values at the Ohio Statehouse and across Ohio, is mobilizing against HB 327 and HB 322, two bills that could ban “divisive teaching” such as Critical Race Theory or CRT.

The Ohio legislature has been pushing the whitewashing of American history. Critics of HB 327 say that besides censoring schools and teachers, the bill could result in school districts losing funding, schools losing their AP (Advanced Placement) designation, teachers facing civil litigation from parents and the further degradation and privatization of our public schools, especially those in urban districts.

Policy Matters Ohio is a founding member of Honesty for Ohio Education, a statewide coalition of over 30 organizations,which held a press conference on Wednesday at the Statehouse.

Honesty for Ohio Education has a simple mission: “Defend Ohio students’ freedom to learn and educators’ freedom to teach a full, honest history of our nation.”

An example of Ohio history that should be taught fully and honestly is this: On March 8, 1792, in what is now Tuscarawas County, the “Moravian Massacre” occurred, as 96 pacifist Moravian Christian Indians were murdered by US militiamen from Pennsylvania. Theories suggest they were murdered because they were pacifists who refused to take sides with either America or Britain.

Christians murdering Christians, albeit the white man murdering Native Americans. Will this someday be banned from being taught in Ohio’s schools, if districts even still teach about this horrific event?

Policy Matters Ohio state policy fellow Tanisha Pruitt Ph.D. issued the following statement:

“School is a place where students of all backgrounds go to learn, gain understanding of the world and gain the skills they need to shape our future. A core component of that understanding is learning the history and experiences of people who look like them, and of people who don’t.

“It is important that young people have the freedom to learn about every aspect of our history, including past injustices and how they affect our lives today, so we can make progress toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.

“The politicians sponsoring HB 327 are part of an extremist national agenda, backed by corporate interests, that are using racial fear to pit people against each other and erode support for public education. The bill threatens funding for districts if educators teach ‘divisive concepts’ — muzzling our teachers, whitewashing our history, and robbing our children of their freedom to learn. It similarly targets higher education and state and local government entities.

“HB 327 is part of a broader attack on public education that includes a destructive proposal for a universal voucher program and resistance to fully and constitutionally funding public schools. Policy Matters Ohio urges all legislators to vote no against HB 327, so our students have the tools to build a brighter future for all Ohioans, no exceptions.”