Race is a social construct. If you don’t know what that is, look it up. Learn about Kimberlé Crenshaw, Kendall Thomas and Patricia Williams. It is important to understand what Critical Race Theory is and isn’t. And even without the definition, I challenge those opposed to it to ask themselves why confronting our history and the intersectionality of different forms of discrimination causes such fear. Are you actually concerned for your kids or for yourself? If you are white and cis-gender and full of fear, I would expect that you are opposed to anything related to CRT as it challenges the status quo. It challenges you to look at how our history has continued to contribute to the oppression of many groups of people who are not white. There is a racial hierarchy that has been set in place and if you identify as white, you are at the top of this contrived hierarchy. So it makes sense that if your placement on the top rung is threatened, you would do anything to challenge anything that would upset this placement. You would challenge speaking truth about our history because it would cause you to evaluate all that you have incorrectly learned and internalized.

If you have never experienced racism and you are opposed to a No Place For Hate program in schools, you are part of the problem of perpetuating systemic inequity, white supremacy and continued racism in this country. What is the problem you have with a program whose title states that hate has no place, meaning, let’s try to figure out how to create space for everyone. White people have always had a place. How about we let go of ego and fear and embrace elevating those who have been marginalized and oppressed? I challenge you, fearful white people, to tell me how social justice (justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges) and activism (using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change) would be negative actions for our kids to embrace? Seems to me like they encourage critical thinking and understanding that the world does not revolve around them and their comfort.

Or … is the pie not big enough for all to share? Zero sum?

I have my hope in our students. Parents and adults are getting in the way of growth and progress. Get out of the way.

Becca Jay, Roxborough