North Carolina’s Johnston County Board of Commissioner discovered a way to steal the wind out of liberal’s sails in their school district. The board made a push to withhold $8 million from their school board until members agreed to enforce strict punishment against teachers and staffers who might be found spreading racist political propaganda—Also known as ‘Critical Race Theory’.
The board of Commisioers wrote:
“No student or staff member shall be subjected to the notion that racism is a permanent component of American life. … All people deserve full credit and recognition for their struggles and accomplishments throughout United States history. The United States foundational documents shall not be undermined. No employee of Johnston County Schools will make any attempt to discredit the efforts made by all people using foundational documents for reform.
No fictional accounts or narratives shall be used to invalidate actual objective historical events. All people who contributed to American Society will be recognized and presented as reformists, innovators and heroes to our culture. Failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.”
The school board agreed and amended their code of conduct last Friday.
“Parents with the group, “JCPS Parents for Freedom,” were happy with the new standards, though wrote on Facebook that the board didn’t go far enough to ban the teachings of critical race theory, an academic framework used to look at how racial disparities affect government systems.
“It is a positive step in the right direction,” said the admin of the group, Heather Rainville. “I’m raising my children to love and give respect equally and to be good humans and any policy that does not teach them to divide and discriminate their peers is positive to me.”
Bill Crocker, a member of the activist organization Liberal People of Johnston County, said he was extremely disappointed with the board’s decision.
“I know the intent is to pacify the Board of Commissioners’ unreasonable assertions that CRT or anything of the sort is actually being taught in our Johnston County schools. I strongly believe that this policy will be used to target teachers who do not bow to the conservative social pressure of whitewashing our history,” he said in a message.”
That’s at least one school district that will not be spreading the theory that America, as a whole, is racists or that White Americans are all inherently racist. Hopefully, more school districts will follow.
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.
