School boards, especially those in Pennsylvania, have become an area of violence. These tensions started with the idea of including critical race theory in schools but have since switched to whether masks should be worn in schools.
Critical race theory, according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Education Fund, is “an academic and legal framework that denotes that systemic racism is part of American society — from education and housing to employment and healthcare.” Many people have been outspoken in disapproving CRT in schools, stating that their children are too young to learn that everyone is different. Considering that America is built on the back of racism, I think that history should be taught in an age-appropriate manner so that society can grow from what it once was.
The opposition to CRT, as I believe it to be, is more so due to ignorance i.e., the lack of knowledge about what CRT is. People have said that CRT is used to make those who are white hate their race. Others have said that CRT declares the superiority of one race over all others. CRT addresses that there is systematic racism ingrained into America itself.
The argument about students wearing masks in Pennsylvania schools has been ongoing for quite some time as well. This argument has caused one board member, John Gamble of Central Bucks School District, to resign. Gamble was the deciding vote in whether masks would be mandatory or optional in the split Central Bucks School Board. Gamble and his wife received death threats over his decision—forcing him to resign.
Some parents' concern with their child wearing a mask is that they (their child) are breathing in bad bacteria. Other parents have described children wearing masks in schools as child abuse. These parents have said that their children are being affected mentally and that masks should be an option, not a necessity.
I understand that parents are truly concerned about their children, but I believe the only information they are relying on is the opinion of others, and not reputable researched information.
Parents have also made group chats devoted to taking over the school board themselves and making suggestions as to how to get their opinions heard, as the election period is approaching. What I find odd is that some parents have made the point of putting their political views in these chats to cause more of a disturbance. What was once a short meeting between board members and a few others, has turned into something much larger - school board meetings now require security.
I believe that the best thing parents could do at this point is to listen to the teachers of their students. These teachers are highly educated and make it their priority to do what is best for the student body as a whole. Parents think only of their child and do not take into consideration the effect their choices for their child have on others.
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