Opinion: Governor silent about law banning classroom discussion of race
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law on May 24, 2021 a bill banning the teaching of critical race theory and the history of racism in America in state public schools. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)
Otis Sanford
Otis Sanford is a political columnist, author and professor emeritus in Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis.
Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill May 24 without comment. Because what could he really say that makes sense? His first and apparently only attempt to explain the rationale for the law would have been fine for a White Citizens Council meeting in the 1960s.
Topics
Gov. Bill Lee Critical race theory Subscriber Only2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
Will you help us reach more Memphians with quality, in-depth local news? Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization, today.
Thank you for keeping up with what’s happening in Memphis. Thank you for investing in our community’s trusted local news source.
Otis Sanford on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Otis Sanford's stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Opinion: The Chauvin verdict is about more than one bad cop
Derek Chauvin’s conviction should continue the reckoning on race that started after Floyd’s murder shocked the world 11 months ago. A reckoning we have longed for since the night Thomas Moss and his companions were taken out and lynched in Memphis.
Council urges Gov. Lee to veto ‘critical race theory’ classroom ban
The resolution condemns the bill on Lee’s desk that bans public schools from teaching the racial theory. Council members, Black and white, said their experience on a diverse elected body has shown the importance of discussing race in classrooms.
Opinion: New Wells documentary speaks to today’s reckoning with race
Ida B. Wells’ words and actions put to shame efforts by state legislatures today – including ours in Tennessee – to ban the teaching of systemic racism and its detrimental impact on people of color.
Comments have been disabled on this story.