GOP blocks effort to strengthen Black history, culture education
Sen. Robinson: ‘We were denied’ more inclusive, representative lesson plans
NASHVILLE — Senate Republicans blocked a bill by Sen. Katrina Robinson to enhance Black history and culture education in Tennessee.
Senate Bill 1101, The Black History Act, was previously approved by the Education Committee and up for a hearing April 15 in the full Senate.
The legislation aimed to ensure the contributions and achievements of Black Americans, when appropriate, are woven into K-12 lesson plans — beyond Black History Month — with a special emphasis on fifth and eighth grades. The enhanced curriculum would have been implemented in 2025.
After the Senate approved an amendment making a technical correction, Republicans used their majority to block the bill’s passage by sending it back to the Education Committee, which finished its work for the year earlier this week.
“Sending the Black History Act back to committee achieves the same goal as voting against the bill,” Sen. Robinson said. “Whether you’re black, white or brown, students benefit from seeing themselves reflected in their studies and today we were denied an opportunity to create more inclusive and representative lesson plans.”
Sen. Robinson discussed her legislation — and its demise — during a press conference following the vote.
“It’s a shame that we are here, especially in this day and time, in this legislature where we can’t get legislation passed that actually moves us forward in areas that really, really need some attention,” Sen. Robinson said. “For me it just sends a message that the majority doesn’t think its important for our kids to be educated on it and they don’t think its important enough to even have a discussion about.”
