Dispatch holding conversation Tues. on Critical Race Theory
One of the most polarizing topics in education since desegregation will be the focus of The Dispatch's next virtual town hall meeting.
Opinion and Engagement Editor Amelia Robinson will host the Dispatch Columbus Conversation on “An honest discussion of Critical Race Theory” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31.
The free town-hall event will stream live on Dispatch.com and the newspaper's Facebook page. It will remain available for viewing on those platforms following the event as well.
The debate over critical race theory has led to protests at statehouses and clashes between parents at school board meetings here and around the nation.
Alan D. Miller, the executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch and USA Today Ohio regional editor, said that engaging the community in informed conversations is part of the newspaper's role.
“With so much focus on critical race theory, and a lot of confusion about what is or isn't being taught in Ohio schools on the topic, it's important for all of us hear from experts and to be able to ask them questions,” he said. “The Dispatch is happy to provide this discussion as a community service.”
Coined by Canton native Kimberlé Crenshaw, critical race theory has existed for more than 40 years. Supporters say is an “academic framework that examines if, and how, systems and policies perpetuate racism.”
Critics describe it as race-based Marxism that teaches children, white children in particular, to hate themselves and America.
It has become a political flashpoint in the country's culture wars and a hot topic of conversation – at least some of which is not rooted in fact. The goal of
Tuesday's Columbus Conversation is to focus on facts and help inform the ongoing broader conversations. Panelists for the virtual town hall are: h Jennifer Adair – president, Columbus Board of Education
h Aaron Baer – president, Center for Christian Virtue
h Melissa Crum – diversity and equity practitioner, Mosaic Education Network
h Hasan Kwame Jeffries – associate professor of history, Ohio State University
h Don Jones – state representative, R-freeport
h Charles Lehman – fellow, Manhattan Institute
h Heather Pool – associate professor of political science, Denison University
Jones and Rep. Diane Grendell, Rchesterland, introduced bills earlier this year that would ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Ohio schools.
Questions for the panel can be submitted in advance by emailing them to Ameliarobinson@dispatch.com.