Gov. Kristi Noem signs bill banning ‘divisive’ race trainings at South Dakota universities

Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD) has signed a bill banning South Dakota’s public universities from using training and orientation materials that make people feel “discomfort” based on race.

The legislation was passed in the state Senate earlier this month. According to AP News, Noem has frequently criticized critical race theory, which centers on the idea that racism is systemic in American institutions.

Noem released a statement on the legislation, saying, “No student or teacher should have to endorse Critical Race Theory in order to attend, graduate from, or teach at our public universities. College should remain a place where freedom of thought and expression are encouraged, not stifled by political agendas.”

She added that the state House Bill 1012 “prohibits colleges from requiring students and teachers to attend training or orientations based on Critical Race Theory.”

The language of the legislation does not specifically mention Critical Race Theory (The Hill). The bill lists seven “divisive concepts” that are prohibited from being included in mandatory training sessions for college students and faculty.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Dakota has said that this bill infringes on the First Amendment rights of educators.

ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager Jett Jonelis said, “It opens the door for a wide range of interpretations that could be used to chill free speech and academic freedom, discouraging open and honest discussions about systemic racism in classrooms and in higher education communities.”