Speak Up: Delaware House passes Black history education against some GOP objections, continued

The Delaware House approved a bill that would mandate schools teach Black history Thursday despite opposition from half the Republican caucus. Thirty-three representatives voted in favor of the proposal, while seven voted against it and one abstained. House Bill 198 would require Delaware public schools incorporate into their regular curricula lessons about the trials, tribulations and accomplishments of Black people, including African history, the role slavery and white supremacy played in the development of the United States (especially the Civil War), legal segregation after the war and Black contributions to America. The legislation aims to tackle the history and the impact of racism, “prepare students to be responsible citizens in a pluralistic democracy” and “reaffirm the commitment of free peoples to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” which outlawed slavery.

• Sticking your head in the sand and pretending race doesn’t exist is stupid, when race has been intrinsically linked with the history of the last 500 years. — James Domfort

• Unless they are blind, they will likely be exposed to different races. It’s not a thing to be taught. It’s literally an observation. What needs to be taught is an appreciation for diversity and respect for others, regardless of their race. — Love Raiye

• I never had White history. — Neil Anger

• All you’ve had is White history. — John Anderson

• What do you know about what he has had? — Howard Gaines III

• Because he was educated in America. — John Anderson

• Those social studies textbooks are White history, bucko. — James Domfort

• They got a whole month. — Richard Damron

• You’re not even trying to subtle, are you? — Michael Jones

• Can we mandate that we teach history about the Native Americans and also history about the Bible? — Khristian Berger

• Separation of church and state, homie. Look it up. — Karla Beatriz Martínez Marzán

• So I guess evolution shouldn’t be taught either, correct? For some, that, too, is a religion. — Michael Jones