Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke Friday at the Iowa Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, speaking out against critical race theory.
"Critical race theory is state sanctioned racism pure and simple, and it should be opposed by every American every day," Pence said.
The concept known as critical race theory is a way of thinking about America's history through the lens of racism.
Those opposed think the theory is an effort to rewrite American history and persuade white people that they are inherently racist.
Many states have considered legislation on how to limit the way that race can be taught.
"Instead of teaching all our children to be proud of their country, critical race theory teaches children as young as kindergarten to be ashamed of their skin color," said Pence.
Pence quoted Senator Tim Scott in saying "America is not a racist country."
(The Associated Press and CBS contributed to this report.)
