To The Editor:
My husband and I were raised in Westport. I taught here, and we raised our three kids here. Over 50 years, we’ve watched our schools change a lot. Remember the days when Columbus was an angel? Remember when the only non-white person in American History was Martin Luther King Jr.?
Happily, our kids entered the world with a fuller education than we had. They are lifelong learners who know, most importantly, that they don’t know everything. Through DEI (Diversity Equity & Inclusion studies), Westport schools continue to work toward offering a larger lens for our students. Critical thinking relies on exposure to multiple points of view.
This effort is being undermined, however, by the rhetoric of a divisive national alt-right effort. You may have noticed their signs — “Wake Up Westport! CRT is in our Schools!” — on every corner.
CRT, or Critical Race Theory, is taught at the graduate level, never in K-12. The term has been hijacked by a movement that uses the word “indoctrinate” and “marxism” to describe what our teachers do, aiming to divide communities and bully school systems.
This statement from their website says it all: “There are no Americans who are more equal than others.” Aside from the inanity of this sentence, it reeks of fear. Fear that equity in education will destroy their children’s pride in their whiteness, rather than prepare them for the world as well-rounded adults, proud of their insight.
Today on their FB page, one member of this menacing group offered to share the name of a teacher who signs her emails with the BLM phrase. This is a veiled threat. These fear tactics have incited violence across the country, even at Board of Ed meetings.
First Selectman Jim Marpe, Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and her running mate, Andrea Moore, have been asked repeatedly to stand up to them, and defend our town values. It is not leadership to pay lip service to cowards who spread lies and hate.
As an educator, a mother, and a graduate of our schools, I am dismayed for our students. They deserve better grownups.
Darcy Hicks
Are you so uneducated that you missed the reference to Animal Farm? You should read it. It explores totalitarianism- what happens when society abandons the principle of equal treatment.
I’m in total agreement with Darcy. I’m a ’71 graduate of Staples, although I no longer live in Westport, but in Monroe. The fear to confront seems to be a current trend in politics these days, including those governing locally. Continuing to cater to those who spread misinformation is out of the question. Stiffen the approach or step down, folks.
Darcy,
What evidence do you have that the woman you reference is part of the “menacing group?” A quick Google search reveals she is a woman in her mid-70s who is bothered by the Town’s support for BLM, an organization/movement she views as being anti-semitic (due to various expressions of support for Palestinian Liberation). She indicated no involvement with any group and was speaking for herself. She’s been concerned about the Town’s support for BLM for some time (information immediately obtainable via Google). Critical thinking does indeed rely on multiple points of view–hence, the concerns of many regarding the narrow CRT-based equity lens that the NYU Metro Center aggressively promotes. Your allegations here have absolutely no basis in fact, which means you are the one deploying fear tactics. The website is merely presenting an alternative point of view. There is no fear, hate or intimidation to be found on it. Calm down. There are some interesting articles on the website. You should read them.
Thank you Darcy Hicks for this insightful letter.
We raised our children through the Westport Schools. K-12. I am very proud of the education that they received. They were taught to ask questions, to think for themselves and have a broad out look of our world. Encouraged to be truth seekers.
The fear mongering and division that is being propagated by these few loud and ugly extremists is anathema to the foundation of education. Certainly we should expect the leadership in Westport to stand firm in their support of the established tenants of what education means. Stand firm in their support of the Westport school community. There is nothing nefarious going on. The curriculum being taught has been fully vetted. Time to speak up and speak truth. Silence is unacceptable.
Cynthia McDonald
Very well stated. It’s important that Westport has and promotes town values. Then web sites like this would” have no home here”. Weakness in the face of hate allows it to propitiate. Our leaders need to stand up.
I don’t know how old Ms Hicks is but I remember learning about Crispus Attucks, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington as well Martin Luther King. Who famously called for his children to be judged by their character and not by the color of their skin. Yet we have a movement today that would segregate us once again by race. I guess if you only grew up knowing of Martin Luther King maybe you should take a class on racial equality but I don’t want my children to grow up thinking that they are less than another because of skin color.
I guess if you have lived your entire life in Westport you have lived in a bubble. Sorry for you
I smell fear in this post
WELL SAID DARCY HICKS!
Additionally, Jen Tooker is running to become our First Selectman. In many ways she makes an excellent candidate but I cannot support a Republican. At least not while it is still Donald Trump’s party.
Message to the overwrought CRT fearing parents who believe that Westport school curriculum is changing and will no longer focus on academic achievement: Relax, the kids will be fine. Over a decade ago, Staples High School history honors curriculum included readings from Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States”, Timothy Tyson’s “Blood Done Sign My Name”, and Ronald Takaki’s “A Different Mirror”. I didn’t hear a peep about that. The kids of that era got a great education, learned to think critically – and learned reading, writing and arithmetic along the way.
Ms. Hicks’ missive here is laughable. Full of uninformed and ignorant nonsense. Starting with: “remember when the only non-white person in American history was MLK?” lol. That’s just a sad commentary on her own education–or lack thereof. The fact is, CRT is a Marxist-driven ideology. Do some research on the subject. It’s a divisive ideology that teaches our children to look at everything through a racial lens. It’s the exact opposite of what MLK preached about. CRT “is taught at the graduate level, never in K-12”. That is false. There are dozens and dozens of examples of it being taught at every level in our education system, including here in CT. “Divisive alt-right effort”? lol. So a parent that opposes CRT in our schools and puts a sign on their lawn is now a member of the alt-right? I find it abhorrent that apparently that is how Biden views it. Attorney General Garland has followed suit: A memorandum written by Garland on Oct. 4th targets parents as domestic terrorists. This is despite any evidence of any specific or credible threat. This is a blatant suppression tactic, designed to dissuade citizens from participating in the democratic process at school boards and school board meetings. I am not a member of WP06880, but I fully support their efforts. Take a look at their website. It is full of clear, concise and rational commentary– a voice that most certainly should be heard. Why bring Marpe, Tooker and Moore into this? Because you support silencing Westport parents? “Cowards who spread lies and hate”. Ms. Hicks, that’s just plain ignorance. Westport bubble is right. Thankfully your voice means no more than any other parent in this town. BTW it’s also a sad commentary that WP06880 has to operate anonymously–but it does say a lot about the so-called “tolerant” left.
Wonderfully said, Darcy! I’m amazed that a town like Westport could even consider electing another Republican who has shown that she will follow in her predecessor’s footsteps. We need more than a ribbon cutter. We have lived here for 32+ years, and feel strongly that our town needs a change in leadership. I have already voted for Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin and I’m proud of my choice.
Thanks, Darcy for always stepping up and keeping the rest of us awake!
06880 Parent: “WP06880 has to operate anonymously” No sir! You CHOOSE anonymity. I wager that is because you lack the courage of your convictions. Darcy puts her name on her opinion. Take an example from the signers our very founding document – the Declaration of Independence. 56 brave individuals put the pen to what they knew would be the ultimate controversy. I bet Darcy has an epic signature. You – not so much.
I have great respect for the opinions of all who wish to state them – honestly and openly.
No convictions, no names – no need for Westporters to pay attention to you. When you show up at the Board of Education meeting will you sport disguises and use voice alterators?
Marla C. very funny. Comparing this to the signing of the Declaration of Independence! lol. And you speculate on my signature? How insightful. I’ll repeat myself: Of course WP06880 has to remain anonymous– Hicks’ ridiculous missive is a great example why. She suggests that people who are against introducing CRT into our schools are part of the “alt-right” and parents who make up WP06880 “cowards who spread lies and hate” and are a “menacing group”. How incredibly ignorant–and completely false. Ask yourself: why does WP06880 operate anonymously? Get back to us when you figure it out. For you, it might take awhile…