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Aug. 10, 2021
Longtime paralegal and former school board chair Arthur Griffin focused on the academic underpinnings and legal focus of the originators of a variety of analyses that seem to get mixed together in some Americans’ current obsession with “critical race theory.”
Board of County Commissioners Chair George Dunlap focused on politicians’ obligation to ensure that ordinances passed and policies pursued treat all equally and leave no one behind.
Participants chimed in with lots of comments, and suggestions for further reading.
The Observer published a story on the presentation online on Wednesday and in the print edition on Thursday.
Below is a video of the presentation. Below the video are the slides shown during the presentation. The slides may be downloaded as a PDF here. Finally, there is an extensive list of participant comments and suggestions for further reading, below the slides.
Notes, comments, further reading
The chat box filled quickly today with comments on Critical Race Theory and suggestions for further reading. Excerpts:
Tim Emry: “The people who have chosen to make an issue of this, don’t really care about it. They view it as the wedge issue to rile up white people and win elections in 2022. The people who are falling for it and getting stirred up don’t realize they are being played and are mobilizing Massive Resistance 3.0. This whole issue, to me, speaks deeply to white people and so many of my people desperately needing to embrace white supremacy.”
Gary Marion: “Why can’t the Truth be told? White people are always in control of the narrative! History taught in schools is not true history! It’s just that simple! Laws mean…Legally Allowing White Supremacy.”
Gary Marion: “Let’s talk about the ‘The Mis-Education of the Negro’ by Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1933).”
Sevone Rhynes: “The term Critical Race Theory has become a buzzword for reactionaries because it has an intellectual ring when it’s spoken. Their belief is that it’s not necessary to understand it if you can pronounce it, because your audience will buy into it. And, in the US, that is very true within that category of people.”
Jennifer De La Jara: “Can I please comment on this document (Aug. 6, News & Observer, “GOP plan would delay social studies standards, lets parents challenge ‘unfit’ material ”).
Yolanda Holmes: “We know the truth, how are we doing our part to change the tragectory in our respective positions or places? Where is your voice. I start at home with my own youth.”
Tim Emry: “I’d love to see all CMS middle school and high school students read ‘Stamped’ (2020), the young adult version of ‘Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas’ by Dr. Ibram Kendi (2017). It’s very accessible for young people and tells the truth.”
Gary Marion: “Another excellent book is ‘The Isis Papers’ by Dr. Frances Cress Welsing (1991, 2003, 2015).
Fran Cook-Mahood: “I so appreciate this presentation and dialogue. I encourage us to think and fight locally and regionally for quality education, with an eye on what’s happening across the state and nationally, responding proactively as needed.”
Mattie Marshall: “Do we have churches? Teach my children – do not depend on the enemy to teach your child.”
Gary Marion: “Powerful people cannot afford to educate the people that they oppress, because once you are truly educated, you will not ask for power….” – Dr. John Henrik Clarke
Gary Marion: “If you don’t understand white supremacy/racism, everything that you do understand will only confuse you.” – Neely Fuller Jr.
Gary Marion: “Every black person should read this book: ‘The United Independent Compensatory Code System Concept’ by Neely Fuller Jr., a textbook/workbook for Thought, Speech and/or Action for Victims of Racism (white supremacy) (1984, revised 2010).
Jennifer De La Jara: “More information about about the high school English Langugage Arts curriculum adoption process is here.”
Munro Richardson: “Outside of the classroom, Read Charlotte is organizing a network of community partners to help them provide targeted reading supports to PK-3 students using family-friendly literacy activities that are aligned to the scope and sequence of the District’s core curriculum that Jennifer and Carol mentioned. If anyone is interested in learning more, please contact me here.”
Mattie Marshall: “’Caste: The Origins of our Discontents,’ by Isabel Wilkerson (2020).”
Jennifer De La Jara: “Also, please join us on Wed at 6pm at Marshall Park for an Education Rally sponsored by the Poor People Campaign. Let’s all fight for truth in education!” (“Focus on Education, Speak Truth, Build Power” education rally, 6 p.m., Marshall Park, 800 E. 3rd St.) More info here.
Sean Thompson: “Stop letting people hijack the narrative with incorrect definitions and teachings of CRT and let’s focus on the important work. Like For the People Act, Justice in Policing, and The John Lewis Voting Rights Bill.”
Carol Sawyer, CMS Board D4: “Here’s some info on CMS CTE.
Munro Richardson: “The technical term related to deficit thinking is ‘learned helplessness’.”
Louise Woods: “Please advocate with Legislators tomorrow to support statewide effort to meet necessity of adequate Leandro funding. The Education Committee of the League of Women Voters Charlotte Mecklenburg urges you to join the advocacy for a sound basic education for each child in North Carolina. Every Child NC has organized an advocacy campaign directed at the members of the North Carolina General Assembly as they prepare the state budget. The timing is critical. Send an e-mail or attend the Public Education Advocacy Day in Raleigh on Wednesday, August 11. Details here.