The continual politicization of America’s education system is dangerous for our children, our nation’s future, and the principles upon which our country was founded. One of the latest and more severe examples of this effort is the teaching of critical race theory.
This “woke” curriculum, under any name by which it is presented, is indoctrination and a complete fallacy. CRT originates from the false premise that our country was founded on principles of “white supremacy,” even going so far as to postulate that the preservation of slavery was the purpose of the American Revolution. CRT also theorizes that “systemic” and “structural” racism encapsulates our country today, making our nation irredeemably “racist.”
These theories serve to divide our children against one another, instructing some that they are inherently oppressors and others that they are inherently oppressed, based simply on their race. CRT blames children for the sins of their forefathers and teaches that their race, not their choices, actions, or character qualities, will determine their future. Those pushing and defending CRT want to deny our true history and reject the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. that we should be a colorblind society and not a nation divided by race.
CRT ignores the truth regarding the tremendous progress that America has made in terms of race relations and civil rights protections. Those promoting CRT choose to ignore the ultimate example of American racial progress exemplified by the twice-elected Barack Obama to the presidency. The fact is, no nation in the history of the world has been more welcoming and provided more opportunities for people of all races, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds than the United States.
This week, I introduced the Empowering Local Curriculum Act, which would enable local school districts to stand up to the Biden administration’s attempts to use federal funds to bully them into teaching CRT. Parents across the U.S., especially in Virginia, have made it clear that they do not want President Joe Biden or his allied teachers unions indoctrinating their children with anti-American, racist hate. As moral leadership in Washington has crumbled, it is encouraging to see parents standing in the gap on behalf of their children. We must empower school boards to listen to parents and say “no” to Washington mandates to teach CRT.
Over the last few weeks, I have traveled across Virginia’s 5th Congressional District to attend school board meetings in several counties. I have enjoyed the privilege of standing with parents and speaking to their school boards in opposition to the teaching of CRT and the promotion of other radical leftist initiatives. It is admirable to see these parents courageously speaking out in the interest of their children. They are not afraid to declare that this curriculum is dangerous and politicized and has no place in our schools.
Children should not be taught to stereotype one another based on race or any other descriptor other than the content of their character. This is a modern-day civil rights issue, and we must make our stand and stop this insanity. These school board proceedings have provided me a personal view of the attempts by the far Left and supporters of CRT to silence parents for exercising their First Amendment rights.
We must stand strong in the fight against racist and other dangerous indoctrination and continue to hold our school boards and education system accountable. This fight is about the future of our children. We want them to grow up in an educational environment where they can flourish, reach their full potential, and live the American dream. I stand with our parents and children against CRT, and I encourage parents and our communities at large never to back down in this fight.
This struggle is not only about your children’s future, but it is also about America’s posterity. It is time for Congress to make it clear that states can stand up to the Biden administration’s attempt to indoctrinate our children, and it is time for state and local leaders to stop listening to politicians and start listening to parents.
Bob Good represents Virginia’s 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. He is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee.
