Talking About The Issues
There has been a lot of debate on social media since I announced my run for Goldendale School Board position #4. There has also been a lot of excellent Q&A. Here are a few highlights:
PARENT QUESTION:
Can you give an example of what they are specifically teaching that is offensive material? Not generalized statements or political verbiage that sparks an emotional reaction….But what will these kids (whose parents allow it) be learning that is so incredibly offensive? (I ask this genuinely).
MY RESPONSE:
Thank you for the sincere question! First, I believe each parent would answer this question in their own way, slightly differently, based on personal beliefs and convictions. That said, per the conversations I’ve been privy to and the parents that I’ve listened to, there is definitely some general consensus regarding certain issues. I’ll try to sum it up (somewhat) succinctly:
1. Many parents find Critical Race Theory offensive, because it teaches children that they are implicitly biased and inherently racist. CRT conditions children to classify people according to skin color, as either oppressed or privileged, and hyper-sensitizes them to “micro-aggressions” between these groups. Many parents also believe that CRT is simply an extension of Marxist ideology that is intended to subvert traditional American values, divide our society, and sow strife and distrust in our communities.
2. Many parents also find the new Sex Ed curriculum highly offensive, for several reasons. Some are offended by the inappropriate, unnecessarily explicit images (aka pornography); Some are offended by the infiltration of the LGBTQ agenda that prompts children to question their own gender and sexuality; Others are offended by the age at which children are being exposed to these concepts, outraged at the corruption of childhood innocence, the fact that you can’t take it back, and the inability to stop these new “progressive” teachings.
3. Many parents also find the utter disregard for personal medical decisions and forced masking of our children highly offensive. Not only does forced masking dehumanize children, causing physical, mental, social-emotional, and developmental harm, it robs them of their personal expression and freedom to smile. Whether or not one agrees with the decades of science that substantiate those claims, it is impossible to deny the trampling of parental rights when it comes to making medical decisions for their kids. If you want your kids to mask up and socially distance, make them mask up and socially distance. If you want your kids to breathe freely and be free to smile and laugh and play, by all means let them play. I STRONGLY believe this decision should not be a top-down imposition of ideological policy.
I’m not sure if that counts as succinct, but I do sincerely appreciate the question and would be happy to expound if you want to dig deeper!
PARENT QUESTION:
So I’ve never really looked much into what CRT is, but I just looked at both the RCWs you posted and the article and I struggle to understand why teaching to remove racial bias, and have equity for all students within a classroom would be an issue? Are you of the stance that racial inequality is not a thing? This (as I read and understand now & maybe I’m mistaken) is about acceptance and equal opportunity for all children regardless of race, religion, culture, disability, etc. giving each children a fair opportunity to thrive, not just thrive because they were born into wealth, or without disability, etc. Why are people so upset about this being taught? I have to be missing something….
MY RESPONSE:
Thank you for another thought provoking question. I think there is a lot of misconception about what CRT is, and what it isn’t. First and foremost, CRT is a theory–as in, the merits of the idea are still up for debate. There are plenty of articulate critics who have written at length about their objections to the concept, which might be worth reading up on, if for no other reason than to have some perspective to compare and contrast.
From my perspective, the fact that this topic is so highly politicized really says it all. I believe that “teaching to remove racial bias” is a well-meaning intent, but not an accurate reflection of CRT teaching itself. For example, one of the basic tenets of CRT is that “race” is a social construct, as opposed a naturally occurring genetic expression of human diversity. Why scholars continue to debate the premise, we can readily observe, and indeed celebrate, the infinite manifestations of shape, color, personality, and preference, even within our own community. Does society create all these fractals of humanity?
Social conditioning certainly plays a part in shaping one’s identity, but by and large, I believe we are each born with certain proclivities and aptitudes, as well as with certain genetic predispositions and even weaknesses. Taking this all into consideration, I believe the idea of equality, especially the equalities of opportunity and outcome, are unattainable ideals (not that we shouldn’t strive toward greater opportunity and elevated outcomes for all). I believe it would be foolish to deny the history of humanity, the good, the bad, and even the ugly, else we fail to learn from our mistakes and unintentionally repeat the worst atrocities; but, that said, I also think it would be foolish to focus so intensely on past grievances, that we lose the ability to let go and grow, and embrace the incredible opportunities to engage life in a meaningful way in this moment~ that’s just my two cents!
