KOCO: “A teacher is disappointed with Gov. Kevin Stitt after one of her summer classes was canceled due to House Bill 1775, which bans educators from teaching certain concepts of race and racism. Melissa Smith told KOCO 5 that she’s taught race theory-type classes for six years and is confused why there’s an issue now. ‘I’m not happy. This is information everyone needs to know,’ Smith said. The high school and community college teacher said House Bill 1775 has caused her to lose a class she was supposed to teach this summer at Oklahoma City Community College.”

“‘I’ve actually been teaching race and ethnicities in the United States for multiple years,’ she said. The recently signed legislation restricts what can be taught about racial divisions through history in Oklahoma classrooms. ‘I got an email a week or so ago, saying due to this new law, they were canceling my completely full race and ethnicities class,’ Smith said. Her students won’t be able to take her class even though it was required for some to graduate. Also, Smith won’t be paid. ‘This was a huge chunk of my income,’ she said. When Stitt signed the bill, he said, ‘We can and should teach the history without labeling a young child as an oppressor or requiring he or she feel guilt or shame based on their race or sex. I refused to tolerate otherwise.’ Smith said she doesn’t teach that one race is superior over another, but her classes and students do talk about racism and privilege. ‘To learn that there are actual disparities between the races in terms of education, housing and income,’ she said. Smith also points out her class is offered at a college where students chose to take it. The class is not forced upon anyone.”