A group of civil rights organizations filed suit on Tuesday challenging Oklahoma HB 1775, which prevents public schools from requiring students to learn about critical race theory and gender discrimination. The lawsuit, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), is the first to challenge a state statute seeking to prevent teaching critical race theory.

HB 1775 prevents any educator from teaching that “an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.” The law further states that educators may not teach that “meritocracy or traits such as hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race.” It prohibits implying that students of any race should feel shame for the actions of their ancestors.

According to the complaint, “teachers have received guidance to comply with H.B. 1775 by avoiding terms such as ‘diversity’ and ‘white privilege.'”  The complaint criticizes the law as vague and states that it creates fear in educators and librarians, as they are uncertain what actions might violate the law. The complaint characterizes the law as a suppression of free speech and suppression of the exchange of ideas.

The civil rights groups further argued that the law “eras[es] the perspectives of historically marginalized communities” such as people “who are of color, women and girls, and LGBTQ+.” The plaintiffs ask that the law is declared unconstitutional and that the defendants are prevented from enforcing it, due to its grave effects on students from marginalized communities.