Critical race theory is not a threat
I recently discovered a television channel devoted to the past: "Leave it to Beaver," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Father Knows Best" and others are continuously looped 24/7. Watch enough and you can relive a seemingly idyllic childhood.
Many today seem to advocate a return to this highly misrepresented era: no pandemics; schools uniformly teaching rote, repetition and responsibility; moms staying happily at home; and father knowing best.
Wait!
This view of the past at best reflects the innocence of childhood, but more insidiously it ignores the exclusion and segregation of minorities. It is a one-sided look at our country’s history. The world has changed and going forward requires forward thinking
Much pontificating and angst is being made over “critical race theory.” The term itself came from years of scholarly research. The bare bones of the study revealed that many laws favor one race over another without even mentioning race. Racial inequity and exclusion hurts all Americans. Teaching our history through multiple perspectives will prepare our students for the responsibilities of citizenship in our increasingly diverse multicultural society.
I attended school when classrooms were set in straight rows with students arranged alphabetically. The curriculum made no mention of Blacks, Native Americans or women’s rights. There was no accommodation for learning differences, no collaborative projects or an option to question what was being taught. Our preparation for the work world was mainly based on family connections and finances.
In the early 1900s, John Dewey introduced the idea of connecting learning to real world experience. His ideas were radical at the time but are now fundamental to our education philosophy. He promoted an interdisciplinary curriculum and encouraged students to develop problem-solving skills. Schools were set up to be neutral on politics and religion.
Visit any public school today with grades from pre-K to high school and you will see students working together, discussing global issues and exploring careers. Their learning is scaffolded by teachers, specialists, aides and an array of community support including social workers and health teams. They are learning in the classroom, online and in the community. Their lives will not be marked by geographic boundaries.
No, this is not Beaver’s world; Andy Griffith will not save the day with his smile. Our schools must present a worldview that includes both the admirable and the shameful parts of our past. They must encourage discussion and debate. They must prepare our students not to regurgitate the past but to help form and thrive in the future.
Focusing on critical race theory as a threat is a throwback to an era that never really existed. Let’s continue to teach for a well-informed and well-prepared upcoming generation.
Mary Bullard is a member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good of all. She lives in Lambertville and is a retired teacher from Monroe High School.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Mary Bullard: Critical race theory is not a threat
