Montana’s top prosecutor bans critical racial theory programs
HELENA, Mont. (AP) – Montana’s senior prosecutor issued an opinion Thursday calling critical race theory and some anti-racist programs taught in schools “discriminatory” and said they violated federal and state law.
The ruling by Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen bans activities – which are also used for employee training – in the state. It came after Republican Superintendent of Public Education Elsie Arntzen earlier this month asked Knudsen for her opinion on the matter.
Montana with this ruling became the last of several Republican-controlled states to denounce Critical Race Theory as an attempt to pit racial groups against each other and teach that certain groups are responsible for past injustices. . Supporters of the theory say it’s one way of looking at how race and racism have shaped the nation.
Knudsen’s decision has been criticized by the Montana Federation of Public Employees, which represents many state officials, including teachers and professors at public universities.
Union president Amanda Curtis accused Knudsen and Arntzen of “working together to politicize school curricula.”
Knudsen’s Binding Opinion states that certain activities that fall under the critical teaching of racial theory violate the constitutions of the United States and states.
They understand student assessment differently based on race; forcing people to admit privileges or reflect on their racial identity; attributing a fault, blame or bias to a race; and offer training or assignments that require students or employees to support concepts such as racial privilege.
Schools, government and public workplaces could lose state funding and could be held liable for damages as a result of lawsuits if they offer critical training or activities on racial theory, the Knudsen’s office in a statement.
“Committing racial discrimination in the name of ending racial discrimination is both illogical and illegal,” Knudsen said in a statement. “Montana law does not condone schools, other government entities, or employers implementing CRT and anti-racist programs in a way that treats individuals differently on the basis of race or creates a racially hostile environment.”
The attorney general’s office has encouraged students and parents who believe they have been unlawfully discriminated against in critical racial theory programs to sue their schools directly or file a complaint with the US Department of Education.
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Samuels is a member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative corps. Report for America is a national, nonprofit service program that places reporters in local newsrooms to report on secret issues.