Last week, the House Education Committee took up and passed HB 4011, which would prohibit discussion of racism and sexism in our schools under the guise of “curriculum transparency” and free speech. 

HB 4011 is nothing but a camouflaged effort to ban discussion of so-called “divisive concepts” or teaching that even suggests that discrimination is a part of our nation’s history and continues to be present in its social structures. 

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a public hearing on HB 4011, TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 9th at 9 AM at the State Capitol.

NOTE: This public hearing is limited to in-person participation. If you wish to speak, registration begins at 8:30 AM. You must arrive and sign up no later than 8:45 AM.

If you can’t make it to the hearing, please see the list below of other actions you can take to stand up against classroom censorship. 

We need to have truthful and honest discussions with our kids about systemic racism, oppression and privilege, and other forms of discrimination. HB 4011 would prohibit these important discussions. It’s also an unfunded mandate on our already struggling schools designed to intimidate teachers and further undermine public education. 

• Tell House Judiciary Chair, Delegate Moore Capito, to keep HB 4011 off his committee’s agenda. Call (304) 340-3252 now.
• Write or call members of the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to oppose HB 4011. You can find contact information here or take action via this campaign by Fairness WV.
• Sign this petition to WV legislators: Censoring History Spawns Injustice; Dialogue Fosters Equity
• Attend the next WV Coalition for Truth in History meeting, Thursday, February 10 at 7 PM. (Message julie@wvcag.org or wvtruthinhistory@gmail.com to get the link.)

HB 4011 is one of several bills supported by extremists who want to suppress the truth about actions and policies that have injured and continue to harm marginalized people and communities. ICYMI, check out this op-ed by John Bolt of the WV Coalition for Truth in History to learn more about these and the other classroom censorship bills that have been introduced this session.