Letter to the editor: Why fear critical race theory?

Having read the article “Norwin director claims assignment on racism was critical race theory teaching,” I can’t help wondering what Shawna Ilagan is fearing. I am not an expert on critical race theory, but I know it is another way of looking at race and systemic racism in our country. It appears Ilagan, as well as some other Norwin school board members, are afraid for the children of Norwin to have any concept of CRT. Why is that? Possibly because this issue is larger than just CRT.

Do you fear diversity? Do you fear critical thinking, which is basically evaluating all the information on a subject as a guide to our beliefs and actions? Why don’t you want our children to be given all the information in an age-appropriate manner?

There is no right or wrong here, but only a different point of view. To believe that we have not had, and to a large degree still have, systemic racism in America is a naive and most of all harmful thought process.

I hope Ilagan and the other school board members who feel this way would consider finding a way to expand their own critical thinking process to address their fears.

Lou Conte

Jeannette