Rep. Cleaver Sponsors Legislation to Preserve Black History Amid Attacks from MAGA Republicans

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) stood with Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Kwesi Mfume (D-MD), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Steven Horsford (D-NV), and other lawmakers in front of the U.S. Capitol to unveil legislation that would protect and preserve Black history in America’s classrooms. The effort from the CBC comes after new attacks in states across the country to banbooks and removeBlack history from school curriculums.

“As MAGA Republicans in state capitols across the country work to ban books and enact legislation that erases the struggles, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans in textbooks and classrooms, it is incumbent on Congress to ensure the full history of our great nation is being taught to the next generation of leaders,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Black history is American history, and it must be preserved and presented in its entirety so that future generations can learn from the past and chart a brighter future. As we celebrate the beauty of our rich history during Black History Month, I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus as a cosponsor of the African American History Act, the National Council on African American History and Culture Act, and the Black History is American History Act to preserve Black history in America’s classrooms.”

The African American History Act was introduced by Rep. Bowman and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and would invest $10 million over five years in the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support African American history education programs that are voluntarily available for students, parents, and educators.

The Black History is American History Act was introduced by Rep. Beatty and would mandate the inclusion of Black history as a required component of the American History and Civics Academies’ competitive grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, the bill would promote the use of resources offered by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The National Council on African American History and Culture Act was introduced by Rep Mfume and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and would create a 12-person National Council on African American History and Culture to educate, preserve, and celebrate Black history and culture. The Council would do this by advising the National Endowment for the Humanities on how they can best amplify the work of Black creators, strengthen teaching and learning in schools to ensure Black history and culture is recognized, and provide critical resources dedicated to preserving Black history.

“It is impossible to tell the full, true history of the United States of America without discussing the painful and powerful history of Black Americans. The banning of books and suppression of knowledge is un-American and disturbingly dangerous. Our story deserves to be told in the classroom, and I will do everything in my power to ensure it is,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.