To Our Readers:
Up until now Westport Journal has given some leeway to people posting comments anonymously at the bottom of stories. Comments received in the past 24 hours, however — including one unsubstantiated post that — (coincidentally perhaps) — shares the name of someone convicted of killing their neighbors — have sadly forced us to become more discerning where anonymity is concerned.
In an effort to acknowledge and present all voices, however, we previously agreed to run this letter to the editor from a confirmed Westport resident and representative of WP06880 — withholding their name based on concerns expressed to us.
Westport Parent with WP06880 Shares Thoughts
To The Editor:
I would like to address two statements made in one of the letters to the editor recently posted on this site:
(1) “CRT, or Critical Race Theory, is taught at the graduate level, never in K-12.” and (2) “Critical thinking relies on exposure to multiple points of view.”
First of all, CRT is most definitely already introduced into our K-12 education in CT. It was publicly acknowledged by SERC, a quasi-public agency of the CT Dept of Ed in a June 15, 2021, statement entitled, “Critical Race Theory and Education: SERC’s Perspective” to be the theory that guides CT educators and CT curriculum creation. SERC has developed the first of a series of curricula to be developed along CRT lines; this curriculum has been mandated to be used in all CT high schools starting this year or fall of next year, unless another curriculum is substituted by the local district’s BOE. So, it is correct to say, based on the statements of the CT Dept of Ed and its agencies, that CRT is officially being used in our schools, both in the curricula and by the teachers.
Second, I agree wholeheartedly that “Critical thinking relies on exposure to multiple points of view.” However by excluding heterodox thinkers and admitting only a CRT dominated approach, which views social studies through a lens of power structures, we deprive our students of multiple view points. The writer of the letter, while supporting critical thinking, seems in the same breath to deny it by mischaracterizing other views, labeling them as “aiming to divide communities and bully school systems” and by herself making false claims that CRT is merely a theory taught in graduate schools.
The writer of the letter does not appear to be informed regarding what in fact is happening in public schools in our state.
Of course those pushing CRT do not want opposing political opinions voiced, because their ideology cannot stand up to scrutiny. At their core, Marxists are extremely irresponsible and intellectually dishonest. That is how you can spot them – they allow no dissension because their theories are ludicrous and NEVER work in the real world. They cannot stand up to a reasoned debate. It’s only about control and power, and they will do anything to get it…lying is an afterthought. To them, the ends justify the means.
How interesting that Marxism, whatever that means, is being introduced into the conversation. Does that imply that the opposition is coming from the Fascists’? Just asking but words have impact, so one should be careful in what is said or written!
Mr. Loweinstein – did you know that as part of the equity study the Westport School District contracted with a group that is openly anti-capitalist and views capitalism as inherently racist? I’m all for teaching students about this ideology so long as they look at the anti-capitalist alternatives, whether Marxism, socialism, communism, or fascism, so they can learn how those countries have fared in comparison to ours.
I was very pleased with the above Letter from the Editor since it highlighted important points that are often ignored in the course of the dialogue on this unfortunately heated matter. One aspect that also surfaces among the opponents of CRT is the impact of outside funding in promoting views. Outside funding of views, whether from Koch interests or the Southern Poverty Law Center, and whatever the issue, can surely be presented legitimately with in a small or large town. However, it is important that the sources of such funding be made public.
As to Dick Lowenstein’s observation. Dick often likes to stir up the pot While Dick is correct in stressing the importance of words, It would be more helpful if he expressed his own views on the topic. Also, I believe the word “Marxist” was used by Westport Parents 06880 in the course of distributing materials on the issue of CRT.
Anyone who believes CRT can be taught in K-12 doesn’t understand what it actually is.
Even SERC begins its conversation about it by saying (and I quote from their website) “CRT is a theory, not a curriculum taught to students.”
It stands to reason that since CRT is an elective taught in colleges and graduate schools (it originated in LAW schools) – it’s highly unlikely that children K-8 (at the least) could even understand it if it were taught to them – WHICH IT ISN’T.
I think the confusion lies in assuming that an inclusive curriculum taught in lower, middle and high schools across the country is the same as CRT. It’s not.
I strongly urge everyone to read “Critical Race Theory: An Introduction” by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic. Mr. Delgado was one of the originators of CRT in the 1970s.
Sorry India, you are wrong. CRT is being taught in public schools, not just in colleges and graduate schools. This past June, the National Education Association (NEA)– the nation’s largest teachers union– endorsed teaching CRT to public school students in all 50 states. The NEA vowed to “share and publicize” information on CRT and fight back against legislation that would ban CRT from public school curricula. They approved funding for “increasing the implementation” of CRT in K-12 curricula.
Here is just one of dozens of examples of CRT in our classrooms: “Not My Idea” is a book that is used in public schools in 15 states, in which it tells young readers that “whiteness leads people to make deals with the devil for stolen land, stolen riches and special favors.” It also says: “White people get to mess endlessly with the lives of your friends, neighbors, loved ones and all fellow humans of color for the purpose of profit.” Is that what you mean by “inclusive curricula”? It’s an appallingly bad book that implies that all white children are racist simply because of the color of their skin. CRT is being taught in our public schools, and thankfully parents have had enough of this destructive and damaging indoctrination.
Not My Idea is not a great book, and it is not surprising that it would be very controversial. However, your descriptions of it are misleading. Your first quote refers to a page in which the devil is offering a white child a contract. Per the contract, the devil would offer the white child the carte blanche you quote in exchange for his/her soul. That the behavior described there was prevalent in this country is not up for debate–it’s historical fact. But what the author is suggesting in this passage is that we (white people) don’t have to make these same choices just because some/many of our forefathers did so. Also, I do not recall a single passage that suggests that white children (any children, for that matter) are racist. What it does do is offer an unvarnished look at America’s unjust treatment of racial minorities and tells its audience that they can make their own decisions to do and be better.
Unfortunately, teaching American History without including systemic racism is not telling the whole story. Confronting and redressing this history is an ongoing struggle, but surely the first step is to at least be honest about it. I have two children in the WPS and no teacher has ever come close to making them feel bad about their whiteness. That this would be your biggest concern when it comes to how we teach about race in our schools is very telling.
Why is someone allowed to post anonymously as 06880 parent? Isn’t this part of the issue? Who knows what this person’s agenda is or their motivation. Shouldn’t you have to identify yourself if you are making such serious accusations about what is being taught in the school system, and where you are getting your information from?