The first “Whereas” in SB 683 states: “Whereas the first slaves from Africa were brought to North America in 1619, beginning a 400-year history of racism toward Black Americans.”

The Smithsonian writes that “the misguided focus on 1619 as the beginning of slavery in the U.S. damages our understanding of American history.”

Senators Lew Frederick (D-Portland) and Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) would like you to believe that SB 683 presents a truth in racial history and it influenced the foundation of law in the U.S. Constitution. Reading thirteen “Whereas” relating to instruction on racist history, there are a number of questions a student should ask. Is this a fair and balanced view of history? Why does the U.S. Constitution mimic the Bible, which rebukes slavery by force? Northwest Observer’s article on “Democrats and the Scar of Racism,” debunks a number of the “Whereas” that leads into SB 683.

Oregonians for Liberty in Education points out that the language in the bill seems to blindly copy the premises of the widely debunked New York Times 1619 Project. If enacted, this bill would mandate the statewide adoption of a 1619 Project-type curriculum for all K-12 Oregon public school students. The bill characterizes the overarching theme of Oregon and U.S. History as racist. It would require all history to be taught through an oppressed/oppressor racial lens. It requires a radical overhaul of the 5th Grade Oregon Trail Unit to characterize all pioneers as motivated chiefly by racism. It describes racism and slavery as foundational to the state and country’s law, economy, justice system, and government.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The Majority Party agenda this session is all about equality of their own definition. It appears in bills from recycling to taxation to land use, and of course education. This bill states: “Prepare students to confront the immorality of this country’s racist history and to reflect on the causes and manifestations of that racist history.” But, it doesn’t stop with what we learn from history, the curriculum would explore the various mechanisms of transitional and restorative justice that would help Black Americans move forward in the aftermath of racist history.

A mandatory curriculum with no balanced agenda for objective discussion is indoctrination, not equity. It degrades white students to appease adults looking for revenge.

Public hearing on SB 683 on Wednesday, March 10 at 3:15pm.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-03-04 18:48:19

Last Update: 2021-03-04 19:02:55