Roy Exum
There are 21 teachers in Tennessee who are among reportedly over 5,000 who have – albeit unwisely in my view – signed a petition stating they will most certainly teach the controversial Critical Race Theory (CRT). These teachers say they will defy state laws, edicts from school districts, and all else to speak what they believe to be the truth.
According to the respected online news website Tennesseestar.com, of the 21 from Tennessee, three are from the Chattanooga area – Lydia Dodd, Lydia Rose, and Allison Aubrey – according to the Tennessee Star, and a fourth – Shara Troutner is from Cleveland, Tn., and teaches at North Murray High School in Georgia.
Yes, CRT was banned by the Tennessee Legislature in May and at least 21 other states are considering similar legislation that the petition claims “would require teachers to lie to students about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression throughout U.S. history.”
The petition also reads, “From police violence, to the prison system, to the wealth gap, to maternal mortality rates, to housing, to education and beyond, the major institutions and systems of our country are deeply infected with anti-Blackness and its intersection with other forms of oppression,” it continues.
“To not acknowledge this and help students understand the roots of U.S. racism is to deceive them — not educate them. This history helps students understand the roots of inequality today and gives them the tools to shape a just future. It is not just a history of oppression, but also a history of how people have organized and created coalitions across race, class, and gender.”
Signee Lydia Dodd, who teaches at the United Christian Academy, commented as she signed the petition, “It is my responsibility to lead my students in meaningful conversations about the way the world works and how we should interact in it,” she said.
“This law restricts me of that responsibility,” she wrote, “and even threatens me to shy away from topics related to race, which my students deal with on a daily basis. If I can’t teach my students how to think critically and examine their rights as citizens of this country, there is no use for public education.”
Lydia Rose, who is identified as a Reading Specialist at Avondale Adventist School, purportedly commented, “Students without the truth of their history are misguided and have no sense of pride,” Rose said. “I have tutored students and discovered that they didn’t know about important events in history – The Trail of Tears/Indian Removal, Black Wall Street, Residential Schools, Reconstruction, etc. This can’t continue.”
Allison Aubrey commented, “The bill that’s been passed further marginalizes and pushes to the side the reality of many of the students we serve in our community. I want to uphold the truth.”
In May the General Assembly of Tennessee, as it banned CRT, outlined a very specific list of things than CANNOT be taught in the State of Tennessee. classrooms from K-12. These include:
* * *
TOPICS THAT CANNOT BE TAUGHT FROM K-12 IN TENNESSEE:
(1) One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
(2) An individual, by virtue or the individual’s race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously;
(3) An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of the individual’s race or sex;
(4) An individual’s moral character is determined by the individual’s race or sex;
(5) An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex;
(6) An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of the individual’s race or sex;
(7) A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist, or designed by a particular race or sex to oppress members of another race or sex;
(8) This state or the United States is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist;
(9) Promoting or advocating the violent overthrow of the United States government;
(10) Promoting division between, or resentment of, a race, sex, religion, creed, nonviolent political affiliation, social class, or class of people;
(11) Ascribing character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs to a race or sex, or to an individual because of the individual’s race or sex;
(12) The rule of law does not exist, but instead is a series of power relationships and struggles among racial or other groups;
(13) All Americans are not created equal and are not endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; or
(14) Governments should deny to any person with the government’s jurisdiction the equal protection of the law[.]
* * *
The first day of Hamilton County schools of in-class teaching is in less than four weeks. Registration for an estimated 4,250 children will be held on Aug. 6 and the first full day of class will be on Aug. 12.
For any parent or guardian who feels their children are being taught improperly, the best recourse is to contact the state Department of Education in Nashville. In Hamilton County it has been long believed there is too much posturing and politicizing but the state level assures your concerns with be dealt with accordingly.
Just as 21 Tennessee teachers have pledged they will defy state laws, your goal for the common good is to abide by the law and the state of Tennessee’s education website is committed to best serving all the people.
Stop this nonsense right now and collect the teacher’s license of any scofflaw in the state. A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep.
royexum@aol.com