Granite State Times

The new budget signed by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) addresses the issue of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools.

New Hampshire's Legislature recently passed a budget, which was signed by Sununu, that included language from House Bill 544, which bans New Hampshire teachers, state employees and state contractors from teaching concepts that target individuals based on their race, including the idea that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, "is inherently sexist, racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"; or that an individual’s character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex, according to WMUR9. 

Critics of the language in the House bill say it prevents teachers from discussing matters of race- and sex-based discrimination, according to Seacoastonline. 

NH Rep. Keith Ammon | Wikimedia Commons

The bill states that "Nothing ... shall be construed to prohibit discussing, as part of a larger course of academic instruction, the divisive concepts listed (above) in an objective manner and without endorsement." It also specifies that "promoting racial, cultural or ethnic diversity or inclusiveness" is not prohibited by the bill, according to the bill's language. 

HB 544 was introduced by Rep. Keith Ammon (R-Hillsborough), who did so "at the behest of a college professor at one of our state universities." The professor wishes to remain anonymous for fear of being fired, according to the Seacoastonline. 

Parents in New Hampshire have organized a petition to prevent the teaching of CRT in New Hampshire schools, releasing a statement saying that CRT "teaches children to judge others not by their character but by their skin color -- a complete reversal of the lesson of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which has been a moral foundation in education for over 50 years," according to an opinion piece published in Granite Grok.