Colorado Springs Democrats Rep. Regina English and Sen. Tony Exum have introduced a bill to establish an advisory committee that will recommend standards to the Department of Education for teaching Black history and culture in K-12 schools.

The bill expands upon a law passed in 2019 requiring schools to teach students about the history, cultural, and social contributions of American minorities. 

English and Exum said they felt it was necessary to require specific standards on Black history education, particularly in light of the federal government’s crackdowns on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Dani Newsum, a former civil rights attorney and professor of African American history, mentioned the controversy surrounding the Air Force Academy’s brief removal of educational materials about the Tuskegee Airmen from its curriculum. As the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, Newsum expressed her outrage over the decision, which was reversed days later.

“The current attempts by the White House and several states to literally whitewash American history are contemptible, but not new,” said Newsum. “If these attempts are ultimately successful anywhere, all American students will be left ignorant of actual history, which, of course, is exactly the goal of the latest iteration of American no-nothings.”

While students are often taught about slavery and the Civil Rights movement, they rarely learn about all of the other contributions Black Americans have made in fields like science, medicine, and the arts. 

“It is not just mine, but our obligation to make sure that we are teaching not only our students, but all students, true history and what that looks like for Black Americans,” said English. “There’s more to Black people than slavery and oppression. We are inventors, we are entrepreneurs, we are creators, we are educators, we are doctors, we are attorneys, we are judges, and the list goes on and on.”

History is more than just a collection of dates, English said. Teaching Colorado students Black history allows them to have meaningful discussions about race, identity, and social justice and learn empathy and respect for all people, regardless of race. 

“In today’s world, where inequality and prejudice persist, it is our job as educators to guide our students through these conversations,” said English. “By fostering an environment where Black history is openly discussed, we empower young minds to think critically about societal challenges. They learn to question the narratives they encounter and to seek out truths that may have been overlooked or marginalized. Understanding the significance of Black history also helps students cultivate relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds.”

The bill passed in an 8-5 vote in the Committee of Appropriations on Feb. 20.