School Board in Southern California Bans Critical Race Theory

Don PalumboApril 7, 2022

A school board in Orange County,
California
, passed a resolution Tuesday prohibiting the instruction of
critical race theory
in the district’s
public schools
.

On a 3-2 vote, the board of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District approved a resolution banning district schools from using critical race theory as a framework for classroom discussion on race.

“The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District desires to uplift and unite students by not imposing the responsibility of historical transgressions in the past and instead will engage students of all cultures in age-appropriate critical thinking that helps students navigate the past, present, and future,” the resolution said.

The resolution also reiterated that the district supports “efforts in education to promote equity, respect, diversity; celebrate the contributions of all; and encourage culturally relevant and inclusive teaching practices,” but it added that the district “will not allow the use of Critical Race Theory as a framework to guide such efforts.”

Board member Leandra Blades defended the resolution as necessary to keep all politics out of the classroom and said parents who want their children to learn about things like critical race theory should teach their children about it at home,
according
to the Los Angeles Times.

“I do believe in teaching kids to think critically,” Blades said. “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.”

Critical race theory, which says American institutions and culture are systemically racist and oppressive to racial minorities, has been a source of controversy due to its inclusion in public school curriculums nationwide.

Democratic politicians and liberal commentators have claimed the theory is not taught in public schools, but they have also sharply criticized efforts to ban the theory.