Where Does History Stands in the Classroom: Let's talk about CRT

I know right, crazy aint it!?

Feels like you woke up from a bad fever dream you got from that gas station sushi when you heard about the news about Florida Legislative banning CRT(Critical Race Theory) in late January from being taught in public businesses and in schools and the reason behind this piece of law it is… frankly appalling and quite disingenuous is the least nicest thing I can say about this, what are some people are thinking?!

History, although imperfect and cruel in nature, should be a learning step for future generations to learn about the past just like everyone has before them and grow the future and the world into a better place. Not to hide and cut out the calamities of the past because it makes us and other people feel uncomfortable. Hiding it more makes its more ugly and brazen when it comes out years and even centuries later..

Just like my sister taught me years and years ago that “everyone has to live their own their truth in life” but living your own truth doesn't mean that you should infringe on others or limit them in their truths and the whole truth about about our nation's history, I believe as a para-educator this new law would hinder especially children of color in learning about their cultural heritage and identity and other children not understanding about the history and unfortunately, the cycle of misinformation about culture continued in the next generation when this law is place.

Stephen Sawchuk from EducationWeek.org explains in his piece on CRT and emphasis of teaching CRT in the classes [1] "CRT puts an emphasis on outcomes, not merely on individuals’ own beliefs, and it calls on these outcomes to be examined and rectified. Among lawyers, teachers, policymakers, and the general public, there are many disagreements about how precisely to do those things, and to what extent race should be explicitly appealed to or referred to in the process."

This one of the many reasons more we need to teach and emphasize about CRT taught to children because one of the most powerful tools you can combat ill-conceived ignorance and prejudice racial tones is by educate the people. CRT makes people deep analyse, unlearn those bias and prejudices themselves that society and their own communities has taught them over the years. That one of the reasons that these politicians and law-makers are scared of CRT, its can spread and change people's mindsets; resulting in people coming out and uniting with people they saw as the problems of our society and eventually with time, changing policy and law to fit those new, diverse, progressive ideals that everyone regardless of where you came from can have fair and safe life to live.

when comes to humans rights, Alexandria Smith with Human Rights Pulse, an human rights advocate group says its best [2] "Relationships and social contracts succeed in so much as the parties are honest with one another and as Americans and students, open dialogue in the classroom, including discussions on CRT, racism, and white supremacy, implies a level of honesty. Students must be able to determine for themselves how they regard social and historical issues and must therefore be armed with all necessary theoretical and pedagogical tools to do so. If educators and Americans truly want to move forward into a more equitable society, progress starts with an honest education about the history and experience of people of colour in the United States, and in this manner, CRT and its tenets must not be censored."

[1] Sawchuk, Stephen. “What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It under Attack?” Education Week, 18 May 2021, www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05.

[2] Smith, Alexandra. “Why Critical Race Theory Is Essential to an Honest Education in America.” Human Rights Pulse, 2 Sept. 2021, www.humanrightspulse.com/mastercontentblog/why-critical-race-theory-is-essential-to-an-honest-education-in-america.

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