“In October of 2019 a letter in superintendent’s report introduced Courageous Conversations [program based on Critical Race Theory]. And now I ask myself, how did I miss that? I’m an engaged parent. I look at my son’s stuff. He was in second grade. I was substituting in the school district. And when I pause and think about it, it’s because I had so much trust that the public school system would not try to introduce an ideology into what my son was learning.” – Liz Cady, Essex mom elected to school board March 2021
by Guy Page
More than 100 concerned citizens – a local expression of what conservative commentator Dan Bongino calls “The Great Parent Revolution” – gathered to hear opponents of Critical Race Theory in the Essex School District speak at the Essex Grange Hall Friday night, May 28. An Essex student, a mom elected to the school board, and a state senator all spoke about the introduction of an ideology they say contributes to rather than reduces racial animosity.
The overflow crowd – mostly Essex parents – learned of two more looming developments in the implementation of CRT in Essex:
A new school district “Equity Policy” will be reviewed by the school board Tuesday, June 1, at a Zoom meeting open to the public, registration necessary;
The public may express their concerns Tuesday, June 8 at an “Equity Education Session” 6-7:30 pm, offered online by Essex Equity and Inclusion Director Erin Maguire and another ‘equity’ expert. Registration is required.
Listening to the speakers and learned audience members like Robert Maynard, the audience learned that the Courageous Conversations curriculum in the Essex School District is based on Critical Race Theory, which as Maynard said is based on the Frankfurt School of Marxism. “Your identity is determined by your racial or social distinctions,” he said, which is a stark contrast with the ideas of the American founders that all people are created equal and are endowed with rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It was these ‘self-evident’ truths that launched the abolitionist movement and need to be offered as an alternative to Critical Race Theory, he said.
FAIR, which offers an alternative racial justice vision to Critical Race Theory, is planning a Vermont organizational meeting.
“They’re showing children these political things, then telling them to join them. What else can you call it but indoctrination?”
“Speaking out is not a good way to keep all of my friends. I have found out who my real friends are. Many students don’t speak up. A lot of students fear to do that.”
– Essex High School Senior and CRT critic Alex Katnelson
“We [Vermonters] don’t judge people by the color of their skin, what god they pray to, how much they’ve made or haven’t, what they’ve done or plan to do, what their sexual preference is or what sex they identify with, whether they are big, tall fat or small. Whether they have lots of money or none. All we care about is that you are a good person. If you are that, you are in!”
– Sen. Russ Ingalls, Newport
Contribute to Vermont Daily Chronicle via Stripe.com – quick, easy, confidential