OPINION: Letter to the Editor

The new semester started this week, and like all students, I was excited to attend my next semester. But, when my professor had stated that her class would follow the new non-indoctrination rules, I was very confused.  

Upon further inspection, I had found that House Bill 377 explicitly bans the teachings of Critical Race Theory. It says roughly: “the tenets of Critical Race Theory undermine the objective to respect the dignity of others, acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions, and foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and freedom of speech and association.” How does the complete ban of a particular school of thought acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions, and foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and freedom of speech and association? 

 Upon further research I had found that the proposal for this bill came about because of an accusation levied by an anonymous, non-student member of the community at BSU. To which Boise State hired an independent law firm, Hawley Troxell, to conduct an investigation into the matter. The investigation could not substantiate the specific claim of discrimination, nor found any evidence of discrimination as described by the complaint. So then, if the impetus of this bill was found to be untrue, then why was it passed? 

I’m of the opinion this law was designed by the Idaho lawmakers to shape public schooling to fit their agenda by censoring or outright banning anything they do not agree with. So, in conclusion, the passage of this bill is a hypocritically veiled attack on higher education. It wears the facade of fostering a free intellectual community, while censoring it directly, it acts as if it is designed to be against indoctrination, but serves that exact purpose. 

Alexandar Morrison