President Carrie Buck and Trustee Karin Freeman argued against banning CRT in the classroom.
QUICK FACTS:
- In California, the Placentia-Yorba Linda School Board narrowly voted on April 5th to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in its classrooms, the first Orange County school district to pass such a rule.
- The resolution, passed by a 3–2 vote, stated that the district “will not include Critical Race Theory as a framework in any course offerings,” as CRT divides society into oppressors and oppressed based on race.
- Board President Carrie Buck and Trustee Karin Freeman were the two board members who voted against banning CRT, calling the outlawing of the theory in the classroom a politically-driven tool that will limit academic discussion.
- Freeman said that keeping CRT out of student lesson plans amounted to an “abridgment of free speech” and “censorship,” and would create “obstacles and impediments for students’ success” as well as cause a “dumbing down” of curriculum.
- During a debate last month among the board, when Buck was asked whether systemic racism exists in the US, she responded “Yes” and that she believes racism is “built into” America. “I think there are systems that have racial inequalities built into them in the United States. Yes,” Buck said.
- Board Trustee Leandra Blades, a vocal opponent of teaching CRT who voted in favor of the ban, pointed out how Buck and Freeman are backed by the teachers union, organizations that are historically left-leaning in political ideology (here). “I think it’s important to bring up that the two people who were against the ban and who want Critical Race Theory are also California Teachers Association-endorsed candidates,” Blades told Los Angeles Magazine by phone. “They are endorsed every single time by the teachers union. So are their opinions really their own? Or is it because they’re beholden to the teachers union to vote that certain way?” she asked.
- “Keep the politics, the social justice, all of the noise out and just educate our kids,” Blades said elsewhere.
WHAT THE CRT-BANNING RESOLUTION SAID:
“Critical Race Theory or other similar frameworks will not be used as a source to guide how topics related to race will be taught,” the Placentia-Yorba Linda board resolution reads.
BACKGROUND:
- Trustee Blades cited a study to The Epoch Times conducted by the Orange County Board of Education showing that 75% of those within the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District believed that CRT should not be taught in schools, only 19% thinking it should be.
- The survey also showed a majority of participants agree that CRT shouldn’t be required in high school, according to Blades.
