Exclusive: Utah could ban teachers from talking about racism in their classrooms
Some question whether critical race theory must be included in next week’s special legislative session
(Photo courtesy of the Utah House of Representatives) Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson swears in Steve Christiansen to fill the vacancy left by former Utah Rep. Ken Ivory in 2019.
| May 17, 2021, 10:52 a.m.
Lawmakers may wade deep into the culture war during next week’s special legislative session as there’s a significant push to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Utah’s schools.
Critical race theory was developed in the 1970s and 1980s. It asserts that racism is inextricably linked to the history of the United States. The concept is not currently taught in Utah’s schools.
(KUTV) â
Utah Congressman Chris Stewart is supporting the argument, saying Utah s educational system does not exist to rewrite history through the lens of wokeness .
Together with Utah Parents United, Stewart says he has grave concerns for Utah schools specifically, calling the teachings of CRT inaccurate and destructive for young learners.
In a recent article by the parents group, Stewart cited the 1619 project which he said would redefine the birth of the U.S. as the year slaves first arrived in North America. This contradicts the idea that the U.S. was born with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Utah leaders, educators, parents react to school board meeting that was ended by anti-mask protest
and last updated 2021-05-06 00:02:00-04
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah â Many across the state from Capitol Hill to the classroom are reacting to Tuesday nights Granite School District board meeting.
âTo act in that manner in such a⦠uncivil way it was very disappointing and dishearteningâ Ben Horsley, the Granite District Public Information Officer told FOX 13.
During the interview, Horsley highlighted that the district loves to hear from their parents and those involved in the district but says that this meeting was out of line.
It s racist and Marxist teaching : Parents who home-schooled their child in California and left the state over its woke curriculum now fight to keep critical race theory out of schools in Utah
Gloria and Oscar Vindas oppose the teaching of critical race theory in schools, which Gloria has said is racist and Marxist
In an interview on Wednesday, Gloria said teaching of the issue was even more prevalent in Utah than in liberal California
Critical race theory s place in schools has become a hot button issue
Supporters argue it will eventually help lead to a fairer society, and detractors say it is inherently divisive
Anti-mask protesters disrupt Granite School District meeting
A public Granite School District meeting ended early Tuesday night after protesters with Utah Parents United spoke out against a statewide public health order that requires the use of masks in schools through June 15.
Posted at 6:12 AM, May 05, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-05 08:12:10-04
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah â A public Granite School District meeting ended early Tuesday night after protesters with Utah Parents United spoke out against a statewide public health order that requires the use of masks in schools through June 15.
The group encouraged its members to attend school board meetings and call for an end to the mask mandate in Utah schools.