Critical Race Theory is a no-go in public schools in Louisiana.
Gov. Landry signed an executive order banning the subject matter in K-through-12 public schools in the state.
A press release from Landry’s office says Critical Race Theory “includes divisive teachings that instruct students to view life through the lens of race and victimhood.”
Landry says, “This executive order is a much-needed sigh of relief for parents and students across our state, especially as kids are heading back to school. Teaching children that they are currently or destined to be oppressed or to be an oppressor based on their race or origin is wrong and has no place in Louisiana classrooms.”
The CRT ban is something that Denham Springs Republican Sen. Valarie Hodges has been pushing for.
“It’s in some of the teaching materials that I brought to committee and read it,” says Sen. Hodges. “People had a hard time believing that it’s in there, but it’s in the teaching manuals.”
But New Orleans Democratic Sen. Royce Duplessis doubts that critical race theory is being taught in K-through-12.
“I don’t know that critical race theory is being taught in public schools, K-through-12,” Sen. Duplessis says. “I’ve always known critical race theory to be an advanced course that’s usually taught in law school.”
Duplessis says kids need to be taught history, even if the history is uncomfortable.
“We shouldn’t be shielding the truth from our children,” says Duplessis. “That is not in the best interest for us as a state.”
Hodges says that’s not what Landry’s executive order does.
“We need to teach slavery,” Hodges says. “We need to teach every aspect of history. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.”
Hodges says Landry’s order is about protecting children.
“They don’t need to be taught that they are hopeless victims or victimizers, or that they’re oppressed or they’re oppressors,” Hodges says.
Duplessis says that’s not happening in the first place.
“Nobody’s teaching kids based on their race, that if you’re white and you’re an oppressor, or if you’re black or brown, that you’re destined to be oppressed,” says Duplessis.
Duplessis says Landry is picking a fight where there’s no fight to be picked.
“We’re manufacturing division where division doesn’t even exist,” says Duplessis, “all while we’re pushing for the placement and requiring the Ten Commandments to be in classrooms.”
Comments