Critical Race Theory opponents give it special powers
One of the arguments against Critical Race Theory — or, for that matter, the mention in schools of any of the less than admirable aspects of American history — is that present-day students who played no part in past events might nevertheless be made to feel guilty for them. They might be persuaded that white Americans in general are guilty of racism, and therefore they should feel guilty, as well. Can a person really be forced into feeling guilty against their will? Let’s examine that possibility.
What exactly is guilt and where does it come from? Stop and think for a moment: When you realize that you have done something that you wish you hadn’t, do you ask yourself, “Should I feel guilty or not?” Do you weigh the evidence, and make the best possible choice between feeling guilty or refusing to? And if you conclude that guilt is warranted, do you consciously inflict it upon yourself ? Of course not. Guilt isn’t a result of a conscious choice. No, it is something that our subconscious minds force upon us whether we like it or not. The software in our brains — operating without our conscious knowledge — determines that some punishment is needed to motivate us not to make an old mistake again, and that punishment is guilt.
I would argue that no one can be made to feel guilty against their will, because it is their own subconscious will that desires guilt. Nobody is forcing you to feel guilty; no, you subconsciously want to feel that way.
But don’t worry: If you don’t already feel you have done anything seriously wrong, then you cannot be forced by someone else to feel guilty.
RON RODENBURG, CENTERVILLE
Ohio House Bills 322 and 327 will hamper educators’ ability to develop citizens with an understanding and ability to apply knowledge, concepts and processes to complex issues like race, slavery and sex.
HB 322 and HB 327 are ill-conceived. There is no justification for either bill. These bills are legislation for a problem that does not exist. It appears the purpose of these two bills is to create distrust in our public schools and alarm parents. Both bills imply, with no supporting evidence, that CRT (Critical Race Theory, a graduate level law theory) is being taught in our public schools. The legislation being proposed is openended and ambiguous.
These bills do not take into account that curriculum taught in our public schools is determined by the Ohio State Board of Education for all subjects and all grade levels. Each school district is required to teach what is in the state adopted curriculum for each subject at each grade level. How it is taught and the materials used to teach the curriculum are determined by each school district and their teachers. Critical Race Theory is not in the Ohio State Education Curriculum.
These bills do not recognize that school districts annually give parents lists of required reading for grade levels or that public schools are accountable to the public. Parents have always had and still have options to have their child not participate in an area of study. These laws falsely assume that educators indoctrinate students. Teachers provide facts and create a safe environment that encourages student discussion and exploration. The goal is for students to become critical thinkers.
ANDREA BAUER, BEAVERCREEK