Josh Hawley has been one of the break-out stars of the Republican party this year, and for good reason: He’s one of the chief lawmakers accused of helping foment the failed insurrection of Jan. 6. Since then he’s followed a predictable trajectory: acting as though he did nothing wrong and occasionally saying something that gets him mocked on social media. On Friday he had a doozy.
The Left wants to teach our kids that America is systemically racist. That’s false and it’s meant to divide. It’s time to replace lies with the truth! America is a great nation of good people – and our kids should be proud of that. That’s why I’m introducing the Love America Act
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 23, 2021
The Missouri Senator joined many in his party in loudly denouncing Critical Race Theory, which seeks to teach students that America has a racist history that continues to impact its present. Republicans have countered that by, basically, offering a whitewashed version of the nation’s past. But Hawley went one step further: He proposed legislation.
“The Left wants to teach our kids that America is systemically racist. That’s false and it’s meant to divide,” Hawley wrote on Twitter. “It’s time to replace lies with the truth! America is a great nation of good people – and our kids should be proud of that. That’s why I’m introducing the Love America Act.”
Hawley was short on details, but his bill would “require schools that get federal tax dollars to teach kids the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution & Bill of Rights, and the Pledge.” (Schools already do this, incidentally.) He added, “No more critical race theory. No more hate. Let’s teach our kids what unites us as Americans – what we love together. Let’s teach them the truth.”
Should Hawley go through with this act — which, again, forces schools to teach things…they already teach — it would be one of dozens of bills targeting CRT. But social media inevitably shot it down.
Some mocked its name (and, of course, Hawley himself).
Calling it the Love America Act really captures the essence of Hawley’s whole “dorky dictator” vibe. https://t.co/kvQRrRbwRK
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) July 23, 2021
Some thought it sounded suspiciously like what is done in less democratic nations.
In China they call this "patriotic education". https://t.co/C0mLDp1mNa
— Lee Jones (@DrLeeJones) July 23, 2021
Others proposed similar-but-different acts.
I’m proud to introduce the Josh Hawley Can Eat My Entire Ass Act. pic.twitter.com/IS4KZmpkea
— Jeremy Danner (@Jeremy_Danner) July 23, 2021
If this takes attention away from my plan to introduce the Yay America Yay Kiss Kiss Act, I am going to lose it. pic.twitter.com/4Cz7Xriv3M
— Sean Nunan (@NunanRMC) July 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/dubleahy/status/1418550873706348550
https://twitter.com/TheRealJVanWyck/status/1418548303717969924
https://twitter.com/rsaksena/status/1418559284187648004
Celebrities weren’t having it either.
Maybe you can launch that bullshit in prison when you’re convicted of being a traitor. https://t.co/xwxri1YGzX
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) July 24, 2021
America IS systematically racist.
And you, my dear pathetic insurrectionist, are addicted to it.
The first step is to admit the truth and that you are powerless over this addiction and that you need help. https://t.co/RqEo3ABwNE— valerie bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) July 23, 2021
And some reminded Hawley that a “Love America Act” is rich from someone who goaded on Trump supporters who stormed a federal building.
“Love America Act” pic.twitter.com/utmQoiKOKu
— John the Salesman (@YahyaJohn) July 23, 2021