Orange County CA on CRT

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/board-votes-to-ban-critical-race-theory-in-placentia-yorba-linda-school-district/ar-AAVV8TE?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=1891478c86704a098cd2f9844a56f4ae

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

A divided Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District board voted late Tuesday night to ban the teaching of critical race theory in its classrooms, ending months of contentious debate in the Orange County school district.

The 3-2 board vote came after pointed comments from trustees, two of whom called the measure censorship. Supporters, however, said parents should be the ones who decide what to teach their children about race.

"I don't want my politics, I don't want your politics, I don't want anybody's politics in [classrooms]," said board member Leandra Blades, who supported the ban. "I do believe in teaching kids to think critically. But there are so many classes ... there are so many things you could teach your kids at home. If you really are passionate about these subjects, then teach them."

Following an hour of in-person public comment — with more than half expressing opposition — the approved resolution encourages culturally relevant instruction and states that the district "values all students and promotes equity and equality." But the school district will “not allow the use of critical race theory as a framework to guide such efforts.” The resolution also states "other similar frameworks" will not be used to guide teachings on race, but these teachings were not identified.

Blades argued against statements from other board members who said the resolution was politically driven and would censor educators. Last year, Blades faced calls to resign after attending the rally outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, that preceded the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Board President Carrie Buck, who opposed the ban, said teachers and students were largely against it.

"This is the first time in the 12 years I've been here that I've had 105 students send me an email or call me or send me messages saying, 'Don't do this,'" said Buck.

Board member Karin Freeman, who also voted against the ban, called it "misleading" at best and an abridgement of free speech and censorship at worst.

"This change creates obstacles and impediments for students' success," Freeman said. "If students aren't able to have access to rigorous coursework, the impact will be real."

It is not clear if the district has recorded instances where critical race theory has ever been taught in a classroom. But the resolution comes at a time when an increasing number of states have passed laws that ban or restrict the teaching critical race theory in K-12 schools. The resolution does not say whether educators will be punished if they discuss it in their classroom. The board discussed a process where, if parents are concerned that critical race theory is being taught, they can complain to the school principal, who will then investigate.

Critical race theory is a university-level academic theory that seeks to examine how racial inequality and racism are historically embedded in legal systems, policies and institutions in America. The once obscure academic framework has been pilloried recently by Republican activists and lawmakers who seek to restrict how race and racism are taught in classrooms — saying that it teaches that white people are racist oppressors and people of color are the oppressed. Democrats say the campaign against it is meant to restrict broader discussions about the country's history.

The speakers Tuesday night reflected the deep divide. The vast majority of students who spoke criticized board members who support the ban, saying it would limit critical thinking and discussions among their peers. And in one particularly passionate comment, a pair of eighth-graders from Kraemer Middle School presented a petition signed by more 550 middle school students — about half the school — who opposed the ban.

"Teaching race-related topics is not about blaming any one group. Instead, it is trying to understand different perspectives, especially those different from our own, so we can understand how past history affects our current society," one of the eighth-graders said. "This is critically important for us, as the next generation, to not repeat past mistakes."

"If you say teachers are oppressing white students, then ban racism," the student said.

Parents who spoke in favor of the ban said they believed it was already being taught in schools and their children would be harmed by the teachings.

"We need to preserve our history and not blame anybody and move forward and stop dividing this country," said one parent who supported the ban. "Everybody wants to pick a side. Stop picking a side and pick the side of the future."