By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters) – Georgia joined a growing list of Republican-led states in banning schools from teaching racist concepts.

These measures form part of a movement by conservatives to teach critical race theory. This academic theory examines structural racism in U.S. institutions and isn’t usually taught at either the elementary or the high school levels.

Republican Governor. Brian Kemp spoke at the Thursday bill-signing ceremony held in Cumming (Georgia). This package of bills protects moms’ fundamental rights to control the education of their children in this state.

They prohibit instruction which asserts the United States is fundamentally racist or states that people “should feel guilt or anguish” for their race.

Similar bans have been passed in several states including Oklahoma, Arizona, and Texas. Many don’t name critical race theory.

A July 2021 Reuters/Ipsos poll found that the concept of academics is still largely unknown and has sparked student protests.

Conservatives used the term to decry policies and curricula they find too liberal in schools across the country, and liberals said that the bans were tantamount academic censorship.

Georgia Democrats sent a tweet Thursday with photos of signs and pictures that said “No banning of books,” after Brian Kemp signed anti-education legislation into law.

“We won’t stand by quietly as Kemp attacks teachers, censors what’s taught in classrooms, and politicizes our schools.”

Kemp will be seeking reelection. Polls show Kemp leading Trump’s favorite candidate, the former U.S. Senator. In spite of Trump’s repeated criticisms, Senator David Perdue was elected.

Georgia has a bill which bans the use of “divisive” concepts in history and race education. It also establishes a commission to supervise school sports. The Georgia legislature could allow transgender students to participate.

It was opposed in large part by Democrats.