ATL Standard

Republican legislators in the Georgia House of Representatives have advanced bills aimed at banning the teaching of some racial issues and increasing the overall rights of parents in schools.

House lawmakers approved HB 1084 by a 92-63 margin, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The bill would prohibit teaching racial subjects that GOP legislators deem "divisive concepts." House lawmakers also voted 98-68 to advance HB 1178, which would consolidate in one law a number of existing parental rights in schools.

"I don't believe that we need to teach young students that an individual's moral character is based on their race, or that the United States is fundamentally racist, or that an individual bears responsibility for the past actions of others of the same race," Georgia Rep. Will Wade, a Dawsonville Republican, said in a statement.

There has been a push among conservatives in recent years to regulate the instruction of subjects such as race and sexual orientation, among others, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Lawmakers are mulling other proposals that would allow parents to request banning curricula they feel is inappropriate.

Democrats contend that Republicans are pushing the bills to motivate their base during election season while ensuring a specific view of society is portrayed for students, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. GOP lawmakers are taking action against critical race theory, a term that has been demonized from its original definition of how race impacts the structure of society to a more all-encompassing indictment of any initiatives to teach students about race.

Democrats believe HB 1084 would hamper honest debate over Georgia's history of racial issues and treatment of Native Americans, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Moreover, HB 1178 could lead to a flood of requests from parents that would distract educators from their jobs.

Similar legislation has been debated in several states and has the support of the Center for Renewing America, founded by former Trump administration officials, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. A third bill, House Bill 1, would prevent public colleges and universities from restricting student speech.