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National Urban League President Condemns Louisiana Governor’s Ban on Critical Race Theory in Schools

Matt Washington

Aug 31, 2024 — 1 min read

Mark Morial, President of the National Urban League, speaks out against Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's executive order banning critical race theory in K-12 schools, calling it an attempt to "distort history" and fuel a "white supremacist agenda.

BATON ROUGE, La. — National Urban League President Mark Morial strongly criticized Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry today for his recent executive order banning the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in K-12 schools across the state.

In a statement, Morial, a former mayor of New Orleans, accused Landry of attempting to "distort history" in Louisiana's education system. Governor Landry signed the executive order on Tuesday, stating that CRT promotes "divisive teachings" that encourage students to view life "through the lens of race and victimhood."

"The governor's actions are a blatant attempt to manipulate educational content to further a white supremacist agenda," Morial said. "Critical race theory is an advanced legal concept, largely confined to law schools and graduate studies. Banning CRT in K-12 schools is not only unnecessary but serves as a tool to incite fear and ignorance."

Morial’s statement echoes widespread criticism from educators and civil rights advocates who argue that the ban misrepresents the nature of CRT, which The New York Times describes as a "graduate-level academic framework" rooted in decades of scholarship.

Governor Landry’s executive order marks the latest in a series of moves by state leaders to restrict the teaching of race-related content in public schools, igniting a fierce debate over educational freedom and the portrayal of American history.

Morial urged the public to remain vigilant and informed, emphasizing the importance of resisting efforts to undermine historical accuracy in the classroom.

The full statements from both Morial and Landry are available on their respective websites.

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