By Journalist Kennedy Thomason (OSU)
No one is here for the Historically Proficient Act.
As the first bill to fail in the House, many representatives were eager to see it go.
Representative McDaniel introduced his bill, saying government officials should have historical knowledge of the people they represent.
“As a history major, I find it really important to know the history of how it came to be and the history of its people,” said Rep. McDaniel.
The bill proposed that candidates for political office would be required to take an exam about Oklahoma history. A required passing rate of 90% would be implemented. Community leaders would be surveyed on contributing to the content of the exam, along with following the Board of Education and Historical Society’s guidelines.
Many representatives received the bill negatively.
Rep. Edmundson, from OSU, said the skewed nature of history makes this bill biased if passed.
“You have to take the Tulsa Race Massacre, for example,” said Edmondson. “10 years ago, you ask a Black person, they’re going to tell you the fact that like, the way that it’s been passed down to like, my great grandmother…people will tell you that, two years ago, it was a riot that both sides came together to clash. But it’s like that’s simply just wasn’t true.”
Edmondson explained history is subjective to those who are writing it. He shared that many groups do not have consistent or accurate historical documentation.
These sentiments were echoed by Rep. Penning and Rep. Villasis, who said the proposed test would not be an acceptable form of knowledge testing.
“I feel like a strong leader isn’t always the one who’s the most knowledgeable about history, but sometimes it’s just the strongest personality,” said Rep. Penning. “In regard to culture, you want someone who knows history, but for economy, you want a politician who’s a good businessman, right?”
Rep. Villasis said educating elected officials upon their entrance into office could be a better solution.
“Instead of making it a test, …they [could] give them a little breakdown of the history,” Rep. Villasis said. “I don’t know if that’s accurate or not, but maybe doing that, just giving them information.”
The practicality of the bill was questioned by Rep. Edmondson, along with many other representatives.
“How are you going to build a test that actually accurately represents and that allows everybody so far,” Rep. Edmondson said. “I feel like it’s something that has a great base and a great idea. It’s just I don’t necessarily like the testing aspect.”