Republican elected officials continue to rail against comprehensive education about the history of the United States, damaging the validity of higher education institutions and increasing skepticism of education itself.
Republicans from former President Donald Trump to Congresswoman and prominent conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) have accused educational institutions at all levels of "indoctrinating" America's youth. The cardinal sin of these institutions, according to many Republicans, is teaching documented facts like the centuries of racism embedded in the U.S. government through institutions like slavery, Jim Crow, and their more current remnants.
In lockstep with that perception, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas introduced legislation called the Ivory Tower Tax Act earlier this week.
In a statement on the legislation, Cotton claimed:
"Our wealthiest colleges and universities have amassed billions of dollars, virtually tax-free, all while indoctrinating our youth with un-American ideas. This bill will impose a tax on university mega-endowments and support vocational and apprenticeship training programs in order to create high paying, working-class jobs."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the legislation in a Thursday daily press briefing.
Watch below.
Psaki spends a couple of delicious minutes toying with Tom Cotton's proposal to tax "Un-American ideas" like Critical Race Theorypic.twitter.com/zue8EuXyBg— Tommy moderna-vaX-Topher (@Tommy moderna-vaX-Topher) 1620927202
When asked by one reporter if President Joe Biden agreed with the premise of the legislation—that schools are indoctrinating young people with "un-American" ideas—Psaki responded with a question of her own:
"Now you've intrigued me. What are the un-American ideas that are indoctrinating our youth?"
The White House correspondent noted that Cotton's statement didn't specify particular ideas, but that Cotton himself had been critical of comprehensive texts on race in America, like The 1619 Project.
Psaki responded:
"Without much detail of where he thinks our youth are being indoctrinated—sounds very 'mysterious' and 'dangerous'—I don't think we believe that educating the future leaders of this nation about systemic racism is indoctrination, that's actually responsible. I would say if he's trying to raise money for something ... We know that a number of corporations hugely benefitted financially during the pandemic. They can pay more taxes. We think the highest one percent of Americans can pay more taxes."
Cotton wasn't even in the briefing room—but he soon responded on Twitter.
Psaki is wrong. \n\nPushing toxic critical race theory on kids is indoctrination. \n\nAnd the Biden administration is doing it from the White House.https://twitter.com/politicususa/status/1392895039638999042\u00a0\u2026— Tom Cotton (@Tom Cotton) 1620935471
Cotton went on to decry critical race theory, which according to Perdue University, simply "emphasizes the importance of examining and attempting to understand the socio-cultural forces that shape how we and others perceive, experience, and respond to racism."
Critical race theory—or any comprehensive examination of racism and the United States' perpetuation of it—can lead to the confrontation of hard truths, especially if you're a white Republican Senator from the South whose last name is Cotton.
That may be why Cotton proceeded to share a series of articles from Republican outlets like National Review and the New York Post tabloid, coupled with his own captions sensationalizing critical race theory as un-American propaganda.
The Biden DOE wants to prioritize grants in American history and civics education programs that push critical race theory on children. https://t.co/u5Pe2xK5pI
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) May 13, 2021
This race obsession isn't just in universities: a K-8 school in New York separates children based on race and tells them they are born racist. https://t.co/4eMJLP1Kgj
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) May 13, 2021
The largest school district in North Carolina launched a race-obsessed campaign against “whiteness in educational spaces" that targets children. https://t.co/Ajz5wWn11L
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) May 13, 2021
His attempts to refute Psaki fell flat.
The U.S. is rife with systemic racism...whether Republicans choose to acknowledge that or not. The evidence is everywhere.— Bob Zuhlke (@Bob Zuhlke) 1620936908
I'm trying to think of a nice way to say shut up, you fool. But I can't do it and sound sincere. So sincerely, please, shut up. You're letting your racist flag high today.— JDLovesIllustrating (@JDLovesIllustrating) 1620938261
Kids need to learn about racism.— chicken-little (@chicken-little) 1620938919
The dude who defends slavery is super mad about schools teaching that racism is wrong. Got it.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53550882\u00a0\u2026— farticus maximus (@farticus maximus) 1620936931
And not teaching it at all? In light ofFerguson, Minneapolis, Kenosha, etc? Close your eyes and wish it away seems to be GOP dogma.— John Podesta (@John Podesta) 1620936202
The only folks scared of children being taught Critical Race Theory are racists, Tom.\n\nYou look scared.— Mitchell Robinson (@Mitchell Robinson) 1620935571
They praised Psaki's response.
Its wild that she asks all the questions the press should be asking...bless and protect her— BrookLyn (@BrookLyn) 1620927507
It's the throwing their stupid question right back in their face and making them explain it for me.https://twitter.com/tommyxtopher/status/1392895760895778817\u00a0\u2026— Sam from Delacroix, LA (@Sam from Delacroix, LA) 1620927923
Love her! \u201cSounds very mysterious and dangerous.\u201dpic.twitter.com/Psim6YwhuZ— Rimonima \ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc1d (@Rimonima \ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc1d) 1620927606
Cotton's legislation likely won't pass in the Senate, given the Democrats' razor-thin majority.
@kileywrestling/Bluesky
