Don't let IFF, GOP allies destroy public education

Critical race theory is sometimes used as a “throw-away” term by opponents of diversity and equality in our nation.

Local educator Steve Johnson better defined the term. “Critical race theory is a phrase that means an honest look at history. Our country is strong and a significant part of that strength is our diversity.

“Yes, I was required, by my moral compass, to teach critical race theory — which is another term for the significant and comprehensive lessons of U.S. history,” Johnson wrote.

As (Spokane) columnist Shawn Vestal points out, “this year’s assault on education in the Idaho Legislature was sparked by a claim (later to be found baseless) that a white student at Boise State University had been demeaned and forced to apologize for being white. This became an article of faith for Republicans in the Legislature, which cut BSU’s budget along with other Idaho colleges, in retribution.

Much of this baseless outrage was driven by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, the anti-government lobbying organization “that drags a significant number of Idaho lawmakers around on a leash,” Vestal maintains.

Republican Reps. Heather Scott, of Blanchard, and Priscilla Giddings, of White Bird, shepherded this bill through the Idaho House that would make it illegal for schools to adapt a method of inquiry that analyzes how systemic, historic racism has been applied to perpetuate inequality in the law, economics and politics of the United States.

Don’t let these GOP allies destroy public education in Idaho. Vote them out.

JIM RAMSEY

Sandpoint