Cooper vetoes limits on politics, race discussion in state workplaces – Salisbury Post

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday vetoed Republican legislation that would have banned the promotion of critical race theories that some lawmakers have likened certain beliefs to the state workplace.

The move could lead to a veto showdown with the supermajority of Congressional Republicans, who initially passed the measure with no veto margins in both chambers. While Cooper has used his domineering pulpit to rally voters against the most controversial Republican bill passed this session, he has been unsuccessful in blocking any bills this year.

Beginning Dec. 1, anyone entering a state government workplace, such as a private contractor or diversity trainer, will be banned from the bill forcing employees to believe they should feel guilty about the past actions of people of the same race or ethnicity or Responsible. gender.

Cooper denounced the bill on Friday, arguing that it seeks to suppress productive workplace discussions related to diversity, equity and inclusion. He criticized the Republican caucus for “pretending that bigotry and racism don’t exist” after two of their members recently lost their leadership positions over comments aimed at black colleagues.

“In North Carolina, the diversity of our people is a strength,” Cooper said in a statement. “This legislation seeks to eliminate the training that can help us understand the unconscious biases we all bring to work and to our communities.”

The bill would also prohibit hiring managers at state agencies, community colleges and the University of North Carolina system from forcing job applicants to express their opinions about their personal or political beliefs as a condition of employment.

Emails seeking comment were sent Friday to the offices of Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore.

Critical race theory is an academic framework dating back to the 1970s that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in state institutions and that these institutions sustain white dominance.

The theory is a way to analyze American history through a racist lens, but has become an all-encompassing political buzzword among some conservatives who take issue with how schools and other public institutions approach diversity and inclusion.