IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY BEING TAUGHT IN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL?
Look for classes like Global Learners Initiative, Global Social Theory and Diversity Clubs. Then look for words like equity (not equality), racial justice, anti-racism, and social or political activism or action. These are words from the racist, divisive, unproven theory that asserts all Blacks are oppressed and all Whites are oppressors and goes by the name of “Critical Race Theory.”
GATHER YOUR FACTS
Facts about what is being taught in the schools may simply be found in what your children bring home, but also look at the school district’s website for trainings, departments or programs on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Make public records request through the Freedom of Information Act on all trainings, programs, curricula or other documentation promoting the tenants of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Share what you find with other parents and post on social media.
LOCAL COALITION BUILDING
Once you have gathered your facts, you need to find as many likeminded parents and other community members who oppose the teaching of this faulty theory, and work together. Form a coalition to specifically address the teaching of critical race theory or other nefarious teaching in your local school district. Try to discern if there are teachers, administrators and school board members who are not comfortable with what is being taught. They are likely to be wary of saying anything, as the pressure to conform is intense.
Create a presence for your coalition on multiple social media platforms and consider building a website. The website should have a prominent feature on the home page enabling you to collect contact information of people who want to get involved. This way you can keep them informed and send out action alerts like when you need them to attend a school board meeting or call their elected officials.
Here is a model from a school district in a Texas where families united and took control of their local school board. A well-orchestrated plan like this could be replicated in your community.
APPROACH THE SCHOOL BOARD
Once you have completed your data gathering and coalition building, you can approach the School Board at a School Board meeting. There is strength in numbers so be sure to have a crowd show up with several leaders prepared to speak representing the coalition. Be sure to be specific about what you would like to see happen. Request your school board adopt a policy or resolution prohibiting tenants of CRT. USPIE developed templates adapted from policies and legislation across the country for you to use. Feel free to edit these templates and adapt to your communities’ needs.
You should always video tape school board meetings where people speak or meetings that you attend while the board makes policy decisions about these issues. Post the videos on social media and enlist your coalition to widely share them. The posts should always direct people to join your coalition and provide a link to the page or website to join your efforts.
If the administration and school board is unwilling to cooperate, you may need to escalate further and implement a model like the one in Texas mentioned earlier and recruit, campaign and elect likeminded individuals to the school board.
LEGISLATIVE REMEDIES
You can also look to legislative remedies by having your coalition contact their state representatives with concerns. The National Association of Scholars recently formed a Civics Alliance dedicated to defending and restoring true civics education across the United States and has this great tool that tracks civics legislation by state on their website. Use it to follow what is being proposed in your state and to influence your state representatives by showing them what other states are doing and offering model legislation.
When talking with elected officials, it is also helpful to prove to them that the majority of Americans overwhelming reject race and gender politics in K-12 education. Parents Defending Education recently published the results of a national poll that asked American voters about efforts to impose Critical Race Theory and “social justice” curriculum on K-12 schools. The findings proved overwhelming opposition to it and strong support for a de-politicized curriculum.
Keep in mind when considering legislative language that a strong bill will include compliance measures and penalties for non-compliance; preferably financial penalties.
STATE COALITION BUILDING
Contact USPIE to see if there is a chapter in your state and if not, consider starting one. USPIE can provide you with a list of contacts in your state of people who have joined the movement to restore local and parental control of education. USPIE will also provide guidance about how to establish a chapter. This would connect your state’s parents with likeminded parents all over the country. We have more influence when we work together.
UNITE IN FRIENDSHIP AND RESPECT
USPIE Advisory Board member Dr. Gary Thompson who is raising a bi-racial family has been very outspoken against critical race theory and he says, “Racism and other forms of hate develop from fear of the unknown.” Parents and citizens within a community can meet people on a personal level; get to know people who are different. Seek to understand others on a personal level. Programs like Critical Race Theory divide us. We must fight back by uniting in friendship and respect.
Visit: www.uspie.org to join the movement to restore parental and local control of education.
United States Parents Involved in Education 