Critical Race Theory is something you won’t hear about in Florida’s public schools anytime soon.
What You Need To Know
- Florida banned the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools
- Opinions on the decision vary
- One Pinellas County teacher says the controversial curriculum isn’t designed for K-12 students
Florida’s Board of Education voted for a rule Thursday that up until recently, stopped short of naming Critical Race Theory.
Under the amended rule, educators are prohibited from teaching CRT.
Here’s how the state defines it:
“Critical Race Theory, meaning the theory that racism is not merely the product of prejudice, but that racism is embedded in American society and its legal systems in order to uphold the supremacy of white persons.“
USF Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy, Dr. Dana Thompson Dorsey, says that’s one of the reasons why it should be taught.
“Critical race theory simply puts race at the forefront so that we can address some of these systemic issues, including history,” she said.
As you can imagine, there are differing opinions on the topic.
Stephanie Meyer, a history teacher at a private school in Pinellas County, agrees with the state’s decision.
“Critical race theory makes the assumption that there’s an entire race of people that are oppressed based on the color of their skin, and there’s an entire group of people that are oppressors based on the color of their skin,” Meyer said. “And I think that while there may be some truth to that to some degree, I think we’re painting people with too broad of a brush.“
The history teacher doesn’t believe CRT is meant for kids in grades K-12.
“I think where we run into trouble is where we try to apply these very adult ideas and theories to our K-12 schools. And so I am not in support of critical race theory,” Meyer said.
Thompson Dorsey doesn’t agree, and she believes parents will now be faced with some tough questions that won’t be answered in school — like questions surrounding the death of George Floyd, a Black man, killed by a white police officer — or Black Lives Matter protests and their cries for equality.
“If parents think that the truth shouldn’t be taught in schools, then hopefully they’re at home telling their children the truth when they come to them with questions about why are so many Black people unemployed? Why are we hearing this on the news all the time? Why are we always hearing police officers are killing Black men?” she said. “They shouldn’t learn any of that in school? Then where are they gonna learn it?”