FAIRVIEW, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Friday echoed arguments in favor of a bill that would restrict what concepts on institutional racism can be taught in school, saying students should learn “the exceptionalism of our nation,” not things that “inherently divide” people.
The Republican’s supportive comments stopped short of an explicit promise to sign the bill, which passed in the waning moments this week of a monthslong legislative session. Asked about the legislation, he also derided what he described as “a political commentary that’s divisive,” saying it’s “not factual education.”
“We need to make sure that our kids recognize that this country is moving toward a more perfect union, that we should teach the exceptionalism of our nation and how people can live together and work together to make a greater nation, and to not teach things that inherently divide or pit either Americans against Americans or people groups against people groups,” Lee told reporters after touring a high school in Fairview.
According to the legislation, schools would be banned from teaching that “an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously.”
While most of the majority-white GOP caucuses in the House and Senate supported the effort, Black Democratic lawmakers have warned the measure would make schools fearful to teach about the United States’ history on race.