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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: May 21, 2021 10:49 AM
From: Representative Russ Diamond and Rep. Barbara Gleim
To: All House members
Subject: Teaching Racial and Universal Equality
 
In the near future, we will be introducing legislation to prohibit the teaching, funding, or dissemination of racist and sexist concepts by the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, including school districts. Our legislation – the Teaching Racial and Universal Equality (TRUE) Act – is aimed at curtailing the divisive nature of concepts more commonly known as “critical race theory.”
 
Our legislation makes it clear that no Pennsylvania school district, public postsecondary institution, or state or local government entity shall teach that any race or sex is superior to another, that any individual based on their race or sex is inherently racist or sexist, or that any individual should receive favorable treatment or be discriminated against based on their race or sex.
 
The manner in which important concepts such as racial and gender equality are taught in our schools could not be more important in defining the type of society we have. Teaching our children that they are inferior or inherently bad based on immutable characteristics such as race and sex can be extremely damaging to their emotional and mental well-being.
 
On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
 
In the nearly six decades since Dr. King’s speech, Pennsylvania has made great strides in securing civil rights equality for people of all races, as well as women’s rights. Critical race theory further divides us by making the immutable traits of race and gender a prime factor in how we view others – exactly the opposite of Dr. King’s dream.
 
On May 18, 2021, Pennsylvania voters resoundingly approved a constitutional amendment further protecting the rights of individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, and further enhancing this Commonwealth’s stance toward the objective of treating every individual Pennsylvanian equally in all aspects of life.
 
Our schools should be teaching that every individual is equal under the law and that no individual should ever be labeled superior or inferior simply due to their race or genetic makeup, nor be held responsible for actions taken by others with similar traits. Such teachings interfere with our constitutional duty to support and maintain a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.
 
Please join us in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation to ensure our schools are passing along the American value of equality for all individuals.
 

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Introduced as HB1532