The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Karen Robinson is the Speak Truth to Power program director at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. Similar to masking, new “culturally responsive” teaching standards have emerged in several states as the latest flashpoint in culture wars — making public education yet another arena reflecting the deep polarization of American society. This teaching practice, which covers concepts including implicit bias, historical inequities and student advocacy, has been dismissively labeled as “critical race theory” by some detractors who are reaching into a dusty bag of tricks to sow division and intolerance. “Parents say they’re running for local school boards to fight ‘poisonous’ critical race theory,” one Fox News headline reads. As a human rights educator for 30 years, and a lifelong Quaker whose faith has caused me to confront white privilege and racism, I feel not only qualified but compelled to reject such notions, and instead point out the vast benefits of such programs, for teachers and students of all races, creeds and backgrounds, and furthermore, for our communities at large. Training teachers to step outside their comfort zones and walk in another’s shoes not only makes them better educators, it invites students to critique structures of power and challenge inequalities that exist in families, schools, and societies. I’ve been immersed in human rights education for decades, first at Amnesty International, and now with Robert F.

Sections:  u.s.   
Topics:  Maine   Penobscot County   Bangor   
BING NEWS:
  • The 10 whitest diversity hires of all time
    OPINION: While racists have weaponized the term, it’s time we recognize the white people who pioneered the position of “diversity hires.” The post The 10 whitest diversity hires of all time appeared ...
    03/28/2024 - 4:03 am | View Link
  • More

 

Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

More U.s. News