Written by Brock Johnson
Late Tuesday night, a divided Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District board voted to ban the use of critical race theory in its classrooms concluding months of debate within the district.
The 3-2 vote was split by people who thought the measure was censorship and others who believe that the parents should be the ones to teach their children about race.
Board member Leandra Blades (who supported the ban) commented saying “I don’t want my politics, I don’t want your politics, I don’t want anybody’s politics in [classrooms] … I do believe in teaching kids to think critically. But there are so many classes … there are so many things you could teach your kids at home. If you really are passionate about these subjects, then teach them”.
The district’s resolution encourages culturally relevant instruction and states that the district “values all students and promotes equity and equality.” but will “not allow the use of critical race theory as a framework to guide such efforts.”
The Board President Carrie Buck commented saying that both students and parents were largely against the implementation of critical race theory. “This is the first time in the 12 years I’ve been here that I’ve had 105 students send me an email or call me or send me messages saying, ‘Don’t do this,’” said Buck.
The Placenta-Yorba Linda Unified School District resolution comes as many states are beginning to ban or restrict the use of critical race theory within K-12 schools.
Photo Cred: Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District/ Voice of OC
