Andru Volinsky: Should N.H. lose its first-in-the nation primary?

In lockstep with extremists in other states, New Hampshire Republicans are responding to the Black Lives Matter movement and racism concerns by proposing bills that prohibit teaching about systemic racism. Implicit bias training, even for police officers, would be verboten. Jim Crow laws, mortgage redlining, the difficulty of building wealth in black communities where homeownership has been compromised would all be stricken from our schoolbooks. The legislation takes the same approach to sexism and misogyny. Republicans also refuse to redistrict in a non-partisan manner and voter suppression efforts, particularly targeting young and low-income voters, are rampant.

If New Hampshire changes in ways that Republican leaders desire, will the resulting New Hampshire still deserve to host the first-in-the-nation presidential primary with all of its prestige, clout and monetary advantages? A state that is honored with beginning the process of choosing a president should be a state that values and encourages voting, supports respectful, open and honest discussions of public policy and that reflects the growing diversity of our nation.