Sen. Dahm files bill to teach Oklahoma students about atrocities of communism

Sen. Dahm files legislation to ensure Oklahoma students are taught about the atrocities of communism

OKLAHOMA CITY –Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation to make sure Oklahoma students are taught about the suppression of speech, poverty, starvation, migration, and systemic lethal violence against civilians that has occurred under communist regimes worldwide. 

Dahm said that since 2017, the president has issued an annual proclamation declaring November 7 as Victims of Communism Day.  The mandatory lesson would be taught on or around that date.

“It’s been more than 100 years since the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, and Lenin’s formation of the first communist government,” Dahm said.  “Since that time, communist regimes throughout the world have murdered more than 100 million people and subjected countless more to unthinkable atrocities. We must ensure our citizens understand the brutality of these regimes and the real danger they pose to our freedoms and lives.”

Senate Bill 1102 would require Oklahoma social studies courses to include at least 45 minutes of instruction on Victims of Communism Day, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

“Through false promises of equality and liberation, communist regimes throughout the world have systematically robbed their own citizens of their fundamental rights of religion, speech and association,” Dahm said.  “Those who spoke out faced persecution as political prisoners, and many were killed in state-sponsored purges. We’re all familiar with the saying that those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.  If we ignore this lesson, we risk our very republic.”

The regular legislative session convenes on Feb. 7, 2022.