Under new rules adopted Monday by the State Board of Education, Oklahoma school teachers could have their teaching licenses suspended for teaching certain concepts about race and racism.

The emergency rules were adopted - with only one opposing vote - under pressure from the Republican backers of House Bill 1775, which doesn’t specifically use the term “critical race theory” but sets guidelines related to teaching about race and gender in the classroom.

The new law prohibits public school teachers of grades K-12 from teaching eight different concepts about race, including that an individual, by virtue of his or race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. It also pro hibits teaching that any individual should feel discomfort or guilt on account of his or her race or sex.

The Republican authors of the bill said it targeted critical race theory, which is a way of thinking about America’s history through the lens of racism, although there is no mention in the bill of critical race theory, which is not typically taught in K-12 schools.

State Representative Danny Williams on Monday (R-Seminole) issued the following statement:

“I’m happy to see the State Board of Education approved emergency rules for immediate implementation dealing with this important issue regarding the teaching of curriculum such as critical race theory,” Williams said. “It’s important that our teachers are teaching appropriate subject matter and that they have clear guidance of what is inappropriate. Critical race theory, a controversial practice based on Marxist ideology, is designed to teach children to distrust others based on race. The concepts included teach that most laws and systems in America are historically rooted in the racist oppression of marginalized people groups. Many Oklahomans are concerned it promotes implicit bias and inherent racism due to one’s skin color, while assigning blame and guilt for events in the past to people living in the present.”

HB 1775 also prohibits state higher education institutions from requiring mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. Voluntary counseling is permitted.

Democrats in the Legislature who opposed the bill argued it was a waste of time and addressed a non-existent problem.

Several current and former teachers addressed the board and said they support the new rules.

Permanent rules will be considered this fall with public comment. Emergency rules are a temporary set of guidelines which do not go through due process and public comment.