OLYMPIA, Wash. — Holocaust and genocide history lessons could be required learning for Washington middle and high school students under a proposed law.
“We’ve seen a growth in anti-Semitism around our country, and sadly, in our state,” said Republican Sen. John Braun, the bill’s sponsor.
“This is something we can, and should do something about,” said Braun added.
Senate Bill 5851 has Republican and Democratic sponsors, including Sen. Jesse Saloman, who testified Wednesday his grandparents survived the Holocaust.
“Their lives were shattered,” said Salomon.
In 2019, legislators passed a law to “strongly recommend” schools include Holocaust instruction in social studies classes.
Under the new proposal the curriculum would be mandatory starting in the 2027-28 school year. School districts would be encouraged to offer Holocaust and genocide education as an elective.
Ingrid Steppic testified in favor of the bill Wednesday morning.
Raised in Holland, Steppic said her sister and father were captured by Nazis after her family hid Jewish families.
"My parents didn't need Holocaust education. They lived through it. And we as a nation, we need to learn from our history,” said Steppic.
Several survivors of other examples of genocide, in Rwanda, Cambodia, and Bosnia also testified.
Selma Porca, among others, encouraged legislators to include other examples of genocide in the curriculum.
”In light of my experiences, and in the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion, I propose an amendment to Senate Bill 5851 that explicitly names other genocides worldwide that should be taught in our schools without giving priority to one over another,” said Porca.
Dee Simon, CEO of the Holocaust Center for Humanity, the nonprofit that works with OSPI establishing the current Holocaust curriculum, said other genocides are included in the lessons taught today and state funding approved last year will expand the number of included genocides.
Dr. Tracy Castro-Gill, executive director of Washington Ethnic Studies Now, asked legislators if genocides that have occurred in the United States will be part of the curriculum.
“If anything, should be called out it should be the ongoing genocide of the Indigenous people of America, committed by the U.S. government,” said Castro-Gill.
Castro-Gill, and Rebekah Erev, another person who testified against the bill, said the murder of Palestinians in Gaza is another example that should be included in the curriculum.