By Bob Katzen

This bill requires the education commissioner to establish a cultural diversity curriculum to be implemented in elementary and secondary schools in the state in the school year 2022. The program would promote cultural diversity awareness among the children of Massachusetts including educating students on diverse world cultures, heritages and backgrounds;

highlighting the history of diverse cultures and peoples in shaping the United States of America and Massachusetts; and fostering respect for and appreciation of cultures, heritages, and backgrounds that students may otherwise not be aware of or have gained exposure to.

“Last week, we saw yet another despicable act of hate and racial violence in our country that is sadly only one of the latest examples [of] increasing racial violence over recent years,” said the measure’s sponsor Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox). “Diversity is our nation’s greatest strength, and these acts of racism go against everything that we aspire to be. Human beings are not born with hatred; hatred is taught. We must do all we can to ensure that the value of diversity and cultural awareness are taught instead.”