Hiding from cultural issues
Further reading
Regarding “Editorial: The phony ‘critical race theory’ crusade strikes again — and Katy ISD fell for it,” (Oct. 8): The news of Katy ISD canceling the book talk sparked a memory of my senior year at College High School in Bartlesville, Okla. The Assembly Committee of students supported bringing portions of the National Humanities Series, one of which was a presentation of “Poetry in Black” by Nat Simmons.
Betty Turk, a beloved English faculty member, asked me to represent the students at a Bartlesville ISD meeting wherein cancellation of the presentation was being considered.
I attended. I listened. I heard fear: fear of change, fear of honest reflections of race issues in our country circa 1971, fear of public reaction.
I spoke. If support for humanities was an intended outcome of the school board’s agenda, how could it deny the presentation of a Black author’s views of Black culture and life in poetry? In the end, the board voted to support the invitation and he presented “Poetry in Black” to great applause and admiration.
And now, history repeats itself. That is the point. Without the study of history and stories addressing cultural issues, we are bound to repeat acts of inhumanity. Hiding from history is not education.
Might I suggest a couple of readings: “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli and “Amistad: A Long Road to Freedom” by Walter Dean Myers.
Mary Cook, Houston
I suggest that those who signed the petition check out the Oct. 16 presentation “A Way Forward Conference: Critical Race Theory with Tim Wise on Zoom.” Once we understand critical race theory, we can make positive steps to understand what Jerry Craft wants all children to learn.
Ceil Roeger, Houston
Regarding “How did 400 Katy ISD parents get a book removed?” (Oct. 5): Thank you to all the racists in Katy for recommending “New Kid” by Jerry Craft. I am ordering it immediately for the grandchildren I don’t even have yet. If you hate it, it must be good.
Karen Taylor, Houston
Reflexively banning a book and disinviting a speaker because of spurious claims of Marxism and critical race theory is ironically the perfect example of the sort of oppressive culture that critical race theory tries to expose.
Alan Jackson, Houston