Dear Colleagues:

It pleases me to inform you that the ASA Executive Committee unanimously approved the Resolution on Defending Academic Freedom Against Attacks on “Critical Race Theory” at its January 31, 2022 meeting. 

This Resolution was developed in solidarity with the #TruthBeTold campaign of the African American Policy Forum (see https://www.aapf.org/truthbetold).

The full text of the Resolution and informative links are included below and as attachment.

I thank the Executive Committee, President Cathy Schlund-Vials, and President Elect Shana Redmond for their work in support of this Resolution. 

ingat/peace

Dylan Rodríguez
ASA Past President
***

Full text of Resolution and links:

American Studies Association Resolution
Unanimously passed by the Executive Committee on Jan. 31, 2022

Resolution on Defending Academic Freedom Against Attacks on “Critical Race Theory”

WHEREAS state legislative proposals are being introduced across the United States that target academic discussions of racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and universities under the guise of banning “critical race theory;”

WHEREAS the ASA affirms the importance of academic freedom to the proper functioning of universities in alignment with the American Association of University Professors’ 1940 statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure; 

WHEREAS faculty have responsibility for the curriculum at their colleges and universities; 

WHEREAS attacks on curricula and pedagogies addressing histories and legacies of gendered antiblack chattel slavery, segregation/U.S. apartheid, genocidal conquest and colonization, heteronormativity, patriarchy, and other oppressive power relations attempt to repress and intimidate educators, undermining their capacity to explore a wide variety of topics based on a rigorous approach to social and historical knowledge and the development of essential critical thinking skills;

WHEREAS education about systemic, historical forms of oppressive violence and power relations based on race, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, citizenship, and other social/cultural/political identities is inseparable from the active and engaged pursuit of knowledge in the 21st century and is a basic pedagogical responsibility to students and multiple communities; 

WHEREAS over seventy organizations, including the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), issued the Joint Statement on Legislative Efforts to Restrict Education about Racism and American History (June 16, 2021) stating their “firm opposition to a spate of legislative proposals being introduced across the country that target academic lessons, presentations, and discussions of racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and universities . . .  In higher education, under principles of academic freedom that have been widely endorsed, professors are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject. Educators, not politicians, should make decisions about teaching and learning;”

WHEREAS the ASA is the oldest and largest association devoted to the interdisciplinary study of American culture and history;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ASA resolutely rejects any attempts by bodies external to college and university faculty to restrict or dictate college and university curriculum on any matter, including matters related to racial, gender and social justice, and will firmly oppose encroachment on faculty authority by legislatures, boards of trustees, and similar or analogous bodies;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ASA stands with our K-12 colleagues throughout the U.S. who may be affected by this pernicious legislation when they seek to teach truthfully in U.S. history, civics, literature, and other courses;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ASA calls on relevant college and university administrators, including provosts, presidents, and chancellors, to affirm that they reject any attempts by bodies external to the faculty to restrict or dictate college and university curriculum on any matter, including matters related to racial, gender and social justice, and will firmly oppose encroachment on faculty authority by by legislatures, boards of trustees, and similar or analogous bodies;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ASA affirms the Joint Statement on Efforts to Restrict Education about Racism, authored by the AAUP, PEN America, the American Historical Association, and the Association of American Colleges & Universities, endorsed by over seventy organizations, and issued on June 16, 2021.

Background:

Posted for ASA Office in Press Releases
Post date: February 10, 2022

Community announcements and events are services that are offered by the ASA to support the organizing efforts of critical constituency groups. They do not reflect the decisions or actions of the association’s governance bodies, the National Council or Executive Committee. Questions should be directed to the committee, caucus, or chapter that has authored and posted this notice.