Dear Editor,
On Nov. 5, my wife and I attended a family reunion in Southern Ohio. Discussion at our table centered on what’s happening in our schools and included some teachers. I made the statement that our schools have a number of Christians as teachers and administrators and I couldn’t see our schools getting hung up on the situation that permeates many schools today. For example I couldn’t see our schools feeling the need to tell our white students they were born as privileged white racists. I shared that my wife and I attended a small town school where there were about eight black families. We simply didn’t know they were black. They were just our friends. And if you observe young kids on a playground they don’t recognize race either. So what exactly does Critical Race Theory (CRT) seek to accomplish in our schools?
So we drove home that evening feeling proud of our schools. Then I picked up the day’s Journal-Tribune and couldn’t believe what I was reading, an investigation of a teacher for supposed offenses that happened a year ago. First of all his name should never appear associated with possible offenses that are yet to be confirmed. And the charge that a high school history teacher should not show a picture of black people being hung during the time when slavery was prevalent in the South without asking students if they wanted to be excused. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. These are seniors who can think for themselves and should not require special protection from the facts. And you can’t touch a student? I can’t imagine not being able (to) pat someone on the back for a job well done. Reading the article it just felt like the questions being asked were suggesting a guilty response.
I know some will say I don’t understand how we have to protect ourselves against the legal environment that prevails these days. And it’s a shame that we’ve gotten to that point. It’s part of the problem we’re discussing. But we also must protect our valuable teachers and if you know this fine young man you’d know he has done nothing wrong and does not deserve this treatment.
Ray Fleming
Marysville