I have serious concerns with House BIll 1218, which prohibits any class, event, or activity that promotes “social justice for,” “solidarity of,” or “division between” races, genders, religions, social classes, or other particular classes of people. 1/

I fundamentally believe social justice and solidarity with marginalized groups are core values worth championing. I also worry about the devastating consequences of this bill in eliminating worthy instructional/extracurricular experiences for students in my district such as: 2/

Islanders Club
Girls on the Run
Events for first-generation college students and families
Spanish for native/heritage speakers
All Girls Considered (a girls-led student podcast)
to name a few. 3/

Every day in the House, we say the pledge of allegiance, committing with our voices and our hearts to “liberty and justice for all.” 4/

Until liberty and justice is realized for all races, genders, religions, social classes, and other groups of our fellow Arkansans, we cannot be afraid to have the courageous conversations and meaningful experiences that will help us to learn, lead, and look inside ourselves. 5/

I will be voting no on HB1218.
6/6