With Gov. Chris Sununu signing the state budget, New Hampshire joined a national wave of states acting against Critical Race Theory in government agencies and schools. NH Journal reports the new law bars public employees from teaching that individuals are inherently racist or oppressive based on traits such as race or sex, while still allowing those concepts to be discussed as part of broader lessons.
But they’re right that the Granite State has directly entered the national debate over Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the use of its race-based ideology by government agencies such as schools and city governments.
NH Journal
The article places New Hampshire among many states taking up the question, NH Journal notes.
According to an analysis by Vox , 27 state legislatures have introduced or passed laws intended to bar CRT from classrooms or diversity training programs.
NH Journal
It compares the Granite State approach to similar measures elsewhere, noting that Iowa enacted a comparable law that, like New Hampshire’s, still allows educators to answer questions and discuss the concepts as part of a larger lesson.
NH Journal describes what the New Hampshire law targets.
And while the Granite State law is relatively limited, it directly targets the premise of the CRT programs being pushed by progressives — that White people are all inherently racist, despite their behavior or beliefs, and they are propping up white supremacy when they support race-neutral public policy.
NH Journal
Polling cited by NH Journal suggests the issue is politically difficult for Democrats.
Nationally, supporting CRT is a losing issue for the Democrats, and continuing to defend it would likely put them in a tight spot.
NH Journal
The outlet adds detail on public awareness of the theory and views among those familiar with it.
According to a recent poll from Fox News, nearly half of American voters, 41 percent, are unfamiliar with the divisive theory. However, those who know about it don’t like it. Only 37 percent of Americans who are familiar with CRT are in favor of teaching it in schools.
NH Journal
Supporters described the measure as narrowly drawn, emphasizing that it still allows discussion of the underlying concepts in the classroom, while critics raised broader objections.
The provision was folded into the broader budget package the governor signed, NH Journal reports, placing the state alongside others addressing the issue this year. The coverage frames the debate as part of a wider national conversation playing out in legislatures across the country.
Supporters and opponents continued to spar over how the law would apply in practice.
The provision was folded into the broader budget package the governor signed.
Backers described the measure as narrowly drawn while critics raised broader objections.
National polling cited in the coverage pointed to skepticism toward the underlying theory.
The article placed New Hampshire among many states addressing the issue this year.
The debate reflected a wider national conversation playing out in legislatures.
The law still allows the concepts to be discussed as part of larger lessons, NH Journal reports.
The coverage frames New Hampshire as one of many states wrestling with the issue, with supporters and opponents continuing to disagree over how the law will apply in practice.
Read the full story at NH Journal.
