Dewine opposes critical race theory in Ohio schools
Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine hasn’t made a public statement on the controversial education topic of critical race theory, but his office has been quietly telling constituents that he opposes it.
“The Governor opposes critical race theory because it divides, rather than unites, Americans,” according to the statement. “We should never shy away from teaching the good and bad of American history, but we should help our children appreciate what unites us rather than what divides us.”
A Dewine spokesman declined to comment further on the governor’s position.
Critical race theory is an academic theory that’s been taught at the collegiate level for decades. The basic idea is that people who have racial biases (even unconscious ones) will struggle to create unbiased systems and laws.
Supporters of the theory say it’s a way of understanding how racism has shaped America. For example, in the 1930s, governments across the country drew lines around neighborhoods of color and labeled them poor financial risks.
But opponents say CRT is much more than teaching about diversity.
Rep. Don Jones, R-freeport, has called it a borderline racist ideology that pits people of color against white people and goes against the American dream.
“It’s really based off of Marxism, and the fact that we should make those who have been successful feel that they have been privileged,” Jones said in June. “I think that’s an important thing to realize. We are looking for equality in opportunity, not equality in outcome.”
How schools teach racism and current events have generated heated debates at local school boards across the country. Dewine’s office says it’s received about 1,200 emails and letters on the topic. And it’s become a topic in Ohio’s 2022 race for governor.
Former congressman Jim Renacci,
who is challenging Dewine for the Republican nomination next year, accused the governor of appointing people to the state board of education who support CRT.
In Columbus, Jones and his fellow Republican lawmakers have introduced two bills to ban its teaching (House bills 322 and 327). Hearings are expected to pick back up when lawmakers return in September.
A coalition of education groups opposes both bills, saying they are far too vague and would force teachers to “rewrite” history.
“One bill requires historical oppression to be taught impartially,” said Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, a liberal think tank. “How do you teach slavery and segregation impartially? If we don’t tell students that slavery is bad, aren’t we taking the side of the oppressor?”
Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.