It would seem by now that racial tensions in this country would have abated. The American Civil War ended 156 years ago and the Civil Rights Act was enacted 57 years ago. Nevertheless, the issue is front and center.
Students are being taught racism in our schools in the guise of critical race theory. They are encouraged to identify themselves as either oppressors or victims, according to their skin color. To combat this trend, the AZ House Republicans passed “The Unbiased Teaching Act,” an amendment to Senate Bill 1532, that outlaws any instruction that encourages hatred based on a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, or sex. It is up to the AZ Senate to decide what happens next.
Stirring up the people towards hatred is nothing new. Through the years politicians have pitted one group against another in order to create distrust and to then appear as saviors of one side or the other. They based their efforts on valid misfortune – and then imposed their own, usually outrageous policies. In 1917, the Russian Bolsheviks convinced the workers to revolt against the cruel treatment of their despotic tsar and then implemented Karl Marx’s principle of equal distribution of wealth, a policy that eventually destroyed Russia’s entire economy. The National Socialists (Nazis) gained power throughout Europe in the 1930s by spreading their lie that the Jews had caused the Great Depression – and millions bought into it.
The leaders of these movements committed some of the worst crimes in human history and caused tens of millions of deaths. They turned their countries into living hell by employing hatred en masse.
Because of the George Floyd case and a few other tragic incidents, our Democrat-controlled media have focused on disputable reports that “Racist cops” are killing a disproportionate number of unarmed Blacks so police officers everywhere should be scorned, restrained and even defunded. They disregard the data that Blacks are twice as likely as Whites to seek increased police action and security in their neighborhoods.
In fact, a large number of minorities have been living in horrendously dangerous urban neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the Democrat politicians who control these areas refuse to consider actions that are not based on hate – such as increased policing, opportunity zones, and schools where children can actually learn.
As a retired teacher who taught for 19 years in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, I dealt with poor minority students. Some joined gangs – not because they were bad but because they were afraid – not of Whites but of tough kids of color!
I remember a few minority children who thought school was a waste of time and that they could not succeed because of who they were. The ones with that attitude did not reach a good end while several who stayed positive and persevered turned out well beyond expectations.
Whether SB1532 becomes law or not, school boards, administrators, and parents should object adamantly to teachers urging students to see themselves as oppressors or victims – nor should teachers be allowed to espouse any doctrine that encourages hatred – which is what the critical race theory is all about.
Johanna J. Haver is a former Maricopa County Community College Board member (2015 to 2019). She is the author of Vindicated: Closing the Hispanic Achievement Gap Through English Immersion (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018). She taught English learners for 19 years in the Avondale public schools and in the Phoenix Union High School District.