Hispanic Students Were Forced To Learn Critical Race Theory. They Hated It.
By: Robby Soave (Reason. com)
Long read but opens a can of worms.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Kali Fontanilla discovered that not only was CRT being taught in the classroom—her minority students were failing it.
Robby Soave| 1.31.2022 9:00 AM
(Lex Villena/Reason )
During the 2020 fall semester, Kali Fontanilla—a high school English language teacher working in the Salinas, California, school district—noticed that many of her students were failing one of their other classes: ethnic studies. This was at the height of the pandemic, and instruction was entirely online, leaving many students in the lurch. Still, Fontanilla thought it was odd to see so many Fs.
Salinas has a majority Mexican population; all of Fontanilla's students were Hispanic and were learning English as a second language. Education officials who propose adding ethnic studies to various curriculums—and making it mandatory, as the Salinas school district did—typically intend for privileged white students to learn about other cultures. There's a certain irony in requiring members of an ethnic minority to study this, and an even greater irony in the fact that such students were struggling intensely with the course.
"My students are failing ethnic studies," says Fontanilla, who is of Jamaican ancestry. "I would say half of them are failing this ethnic studies class."
This made Fontanilla curious about what the course was teaching. All of the high school's teachers used the same online platform to post lesson plans and course materials, so Fontanilla decided to take a look. She was shocked by what she saw.
"This was like extreme left brainwashing of these kids," says Fontanilla. "Critical race theory all throughout the lessons, from start to finish. The whole thing."
Critical race theory, or CRT, has become a flashpoint in the debate about what kids ought to be learning in public schools. Originally an obscure, left-wing body of thought that mostly appeared in graduate schools, critics charge it with influencing diversity workshops for major corporations, training seminars for teachers, and even K-12 curricula. Parental concerns about CRT became a major flashpoint in the 2020 Virginia gubernatorial race. After winning the race and taking office, Republican challenger Glenn Youngkin's first act was to ban CRT.
Many adherents of CRT deny that it's taught to primary education students, and the mainstream media have been quick to line up behind such claims. That's why Fontanilla's discovery was so significant.
"The teacher had the kids all learn about the four I's of oppression," says Fontanilla. The four I's were institutional, internalized, ideological, and interpersonal oppression. "And then there was a whole presentation on critical race theory and they actually had the students analyze the school through critical race theory."
Slides from lesson plans provided by Fontanilla confirm that the ethnic studies course references critical race theory by name.
The original meaning of the theory, at least when taught at the college level, is that racism so pervades U.S. society and U.S. institutions that it is impossible to separate race from other issues: All policies, structures, and laws were built under the auspices of racism, a sort of original sin that shapes the country's institutions. In common parlance, opponents often use the term "CRT" to refer a broader set of concepts, like intersectionality—the idea that there are different kinds of oppression that all stack on top of each other—and privilege.
"The kids don't even want this stuff," says Fontanilla, noting that the ethnic studies course replaced a much more popular health class—in the midst of a pandemic, no less. "Most of them are just like, 'Why do we have to take this class?'"
They would have to direct that question to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state's Democratic-controlled legislature, which decided to mandate ethnic studies for all public schools. Newsom vetoed a previous mandate, which came under fire because the proposed curriculum included "jargon such as 'cisheteropatriarchy' and 'hxrstory,' and refers to capitalism as a form of power and oppression alongside white supremacy and racism," according to Cal Matters.
The legislature re-worked the ethnic studies proposal, and on October 8, 2021, Newsom signed the mandate into law. Beginning with the class of 2030, all public high school students in California will now have enroll in the same sort of course that Fontanilla's students already took.
In a statement to The Epoch Times, Dan Burns, superintendent of Salinas Union High School district, denied that the course was based on CRT, though he conceded that CRT "is addressed in our course as one of the frameworks within the K-12 Ethnic Studies Outcomes list."
Indeed, CRT is referenced in the district's ethnic course syllabus, which is available online. The syllabus stresses that students will study "intergenerational trauma" through an interdisciplinary and critical lens. Scholarly articles about critical race theory are included in the suggested curriculum, including "Whose culture has capital? A critical race theory discussion of community cultural wealth," by Tara J. Yosso, a UCLA professor of education who specializes in critical race theory.
One of suggested activities for students is an "intersectional rainbow."
"Students will rank their various identities with corresponding colored strings to create intersectional rainbows. Gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs, nationality, ability, age, etc.," reads the syllabus. "Students will compare and contrast their intersectional rainbows with their peers, while framing their discourse within the intersectionality paradigm as laid out by Kimberle Crenshaw."
Crenshaw, a Columbia University law professor, is widely recognized as one of CRT's founding figures. (Vanity Fair once called her the "mastermind of critical race theory.")
Other possible classroom activities include hosting a mock trial where they accuse various historical persons of being complicit in the genocide of Native Californians and "creating a social justice oriented counter-narrative."
Salina's version of the course included a "privilege quiz": Students were expected to rank themselves based on their marginalized status or lack thereof. The lesson plan included an image of two white girls—former Republican President George W. Bush's twin daughters, to be precise—at the top of the privilege hierarchy.
"Some people are born in third base and think they hit a triple," says Fontanilla, recalling the intended message of the exercise. "So basically, they were born on third base and they graduated college because they had a head start."
Many people might consider such activities to be a form of left-wing activism infiltrating the classroom . Fontanilla is one of them. As a Christian, a conservative, and a black woman, she doesn't believe that students—especially her students, learning English as a second language—need to be taught to check their privilege.
"It's hyper-race-focused," says Fontanilla. "And whenever there's hyper race focus, racism will follow."
Fontanilla decided that district parents had a right to know what was in the curriculum, and took steps to obtain the lesson plans so that she her job would not be at risk if she leaked them. But when the district handed over the documents, it omitted the slides that included the words critical race theory.
She decided to write a letter to the school board in protest of the ethnic studies curriculum. It was read aloud at a meeting on June 22.
"I do not appreciate constantly being pandered to and treated differently because of the color of my skin, especially since I did not have the freedom to not go along with it," Fontanilla wrote, warning that the curriculum was an attempt at left-wing indoctrination. The statement elicited cheers from other parents attending the meeting. In response, the school board prohibited anti-CRT comments at its next public gathering.
"You know it's something evil when they get so nasty defending it," says Fontanilla.
While she has received much praise for speaking out, Fontanilla has also endured considerable online harassment, including threats of violence. One told her to "have fun being a token black friend to racist conservatives your whole life."
"They're all basically white liberals," she says of the harassers.
Fontanilla had already decided that she could not remain a teacher in the school district; she and her husband decided to move to Florida, where she hoped to find a better job. The twin experiences of remote instruction during the pandemic and race-focused education has left her feeling cold about the teaching profession. She recalls that during the summer of 2020, in the midst of the George Floyd protests, the Salinas administration informed its black teachers—Fontanilla included—that they would be honored with a gift.
The gift, it turned out, was a mask bearing the message: Black Teachers Matter.
"I would never wear it in front of my students," she says. "I think especially if a kid isn't into Black Lives Matter and I'm wearing this Black Teachers Matter mask, that kid automatically knows they can't speak up in my class."
The gift also included an "I Love Being Black" sticker, and a letter with an ancient African greeting that "acknowledges the god in me and stuff like that."
"It was just so weird," she says.
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But, But, But....................more like my ASS
Trump and his supporters are off topic. Those who respond to themselves to avoid keyboard cooties by actually replying to the person they are quoting/mocking/refuting will have their comments removed.
ethnic studies.
That is a subject???
all of Fontanilla's students were Hispanic and were learning English as a second language
As a second language???
Education officials who propose adding ethnic studies to various curriculums—and making it mandatory, as the Salinas school district did—typically intend for privileged white students to learn about other cultures.
How outrageous!
"This was like extreme left brainwashing of these kids," says Fontanilla. "Critical race theory all throughout the lessons, from start to finish. The whole thing."
More evidence. I'm saving this article.
Fortunately, Arizona does not subscribe to that nonsense. I am thankful my 11 year old granddaughter does not have to be subjected it.
You can get a degree in it in college.
"Long read but opens a can of worms."
How so?
It's more evidence that CRT is being taught in our schools.
It isn't.
Bring on the "nuh uh" crowd that will deny every bit of evidence.
It is to anyone that is not brainwashed by the MSM.
No evidence of such. Ethnic studies would without doubt overlap some of points in CRT. That DOES NOT MEAN they are teaching CRT.
Teaching that racism has existed in America is not teaching CRT, and you cannot teach Ethnic Studies without touching on racism.
"Salina's version of the course included a "privilege quiz": Students were expected to rank themselves based on their marginalized status or lack thereof. The lesson plan included an image of two white girls—former Republican President George W. Bush's twin daughters, to be precise—at the top of the privilege hierarchy"
This is not the teaching of racism that has existed in America. This is CRT no matter what the left tries to make you believe.
CRT is a very specific paper, because something being taught "sounds like" CRT, DOES NOT MEAN they are teaching CRT. If they were using that specific document during class, then you could accuse them of that, but just because they are teaching about racism, is still not CRT.
No its not.
That's correct Ozz. CRT is not being taught in public schools.
CORRECT AGAIN OZZ!
They're teaching the tenets and concepts of CRT
He knows as do most people with their eyes open FFS it's in the article.
Certain groups here will continue to deny CRT is being taught in schools despite the evidence placed before their hooded eyes.
That is a poor attempt of rationalization to try to say they are not teaching it. They don't need a specific document to teach the concepts behind the theory, that is what they are doing. So call it what you want, it is still wrong. Asking kids to take a privilege quiz is not teaching them history of slavery.
Yes it is
No it isn't.
It seems they feel if they say it enough times they will convince others what they say is true. They get that right out of the CNN playbook. "Don't look at the burning buildings behind me and the footage of looting, the protests are mostly peaceful"
You know that they have no legitimate argument to make when they simply pretend stuff isn't actually happening despite hearing it straight from school administrators.
Ya but all that looting and burning was done by the far right outside agitators.
Yea, did you see all the old white guys and proud boys looting and burning buildings? No, I didn't think so.
You are not allowed to make it up as you go.
Khiara Bridges, a law professor and author of the textbook Critical Race Theory: A Primer.
Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement
Uh huh, sure.
Just another leftist crackpot theory.
Lol!
u are not allowed to make it up as you go.
Lol... You claim CRT is a "very specific paper" and then post a link to the "The Key WRITINGS that formed the movement"
Just pure comedy.
We have all seen how our two tier justice systems treats rioters from the alt right. Funny how with them agitating so much during those BLM and Antifa riots so few were caught and prosecuted. Also how the media kept silent about them. Outside of some mentions they saw someone, somewhere, at sometime; but could never back it up with any concrete evidence. They must have gotten a lot dumber during the Jan 6th riots to get caught so damn easily- after being phantoms at every other riot in the US.
Meanwhile there is countless evidence of BLM and Antifa rioters being arrested for doing things far worse than occurred on Jan 6th; and being released w/o charges in most cases. The media doesn't even try to hide it.
Would you believe
Co-Founder of ,
Author of Those Kids, Our Schools & Race Dialogues,
Mother of 3,
scribd
You can't get around that one.. CRT is being used as the foundation for all education in the nation... That is no accident, it is being vehemently argued that it is not being taught when it actually is being used as the framework for education and it's being codified into law that mandates it be used that way...
Since it's progenitors and advocates are saying that it is...
There isn't an argument that can be made claiming it that isn't being taught which isn't patently false on it's face...
[Deleted] Read what I said, not what you want me to have said.
The deniers will simply scoff at any evidence and still claim it isn't taught in schools even when presented with evidence proving otherwise.
You can't reason with folks like that.
They do a play on words. These idiots will claim "it doesn't say "CRT", so that is proof that it's not being taught". All the while every element of that garbage is being taught under the guise of "ethnic studies" or some other stupid crap like that.
You know and I know it.
And deep down, they know it but won't ever admit to it.
Your response is as predictable as it is pathetic. Yet another denial of reality and refusal to operate in good faith. I quoted you exactly. Just because it makes you look like an ass is not my problem. Your weaselly attempt to deflect by attacking me won't change what is plain for everyone to see.
And even when the use of CRT is specifically mentioned, they will deny it.
All you can do is expose the dishonest people who will continue to lie no matter how much evidence you confront them with. Honest people will see through them.
If that's the hill they want to die on, who am I to stop the slaughter.
Exactly.
Yep, here we go again!
No
Yep, and those Antifa losers are just poor misunderstood choirboys!
Just another example of none so blind they will not see.
The article explains it, but since you have always insisted that CRT is not ever taught in schools, I am positive you won't acknowledge anything in the article as actually taking place, and besides, I am sure the teacher is just a female Uncle Tom to you.
Seems to be the goal of the left and Democrats. Nothing like keeping in line with their history.
That's the "tolerance" and "inclusiveness" we've all come to know from the left.
Yep, some people would rather chew a mouthful of maggots rather than admit or accept the possibility that they could be wrong or in this case, that a right wing conservative may be correct and a left wing liberal wrong.
Maybe that's why the left is so mad all the time. That much failure, I'd be mad too.
"that a right wing conservative may be correct and a left wing liberal wrong."
I don't consider anyone who calls themselves a conservative nowadays to actually be a conservative - [ deleted ]
"Maybe that's why the left is so mad all the time. That much failure, I'd be mad too."
What failure? [ Delete ]
It's not we on the 'left' who are so mad all the time. We're not the ones banning books [ Annnnd final delete ]
Yep. You hit the nail on the head.
The rest of this thread removed for massive trolling and taunting by all participating.
California was pushing (before it lost a court case) to have a prayer to the Aztec guide of human sacrifice in it's curriculum for some of these "diversity" classes. Its insane.
That should be Aztec god of human sacrifice, not guide.
Bravo to Ms. Fontanilla for calling out CRT!
Here's another "CRT privilege" propaganda example ...
A closer look at the Fairfax "Privilege" Bingo card ...
Well if Faux 'news' reported it, it must be true!
Do you have any evidence to the contrary?
Of course it's true, Tessy. If it weren't true, the FCPS wouldn't have felt pressured to "revise" the game.
Perhaps NBC is more to your liking ...
That is almost always the case. I’m glad that you understand that now!
That would most certainly be a negative there.
Ok. Looking at that "Bingo Card" the goal would be to get a complete line, right?
If that's the case. My pasty white ass has been OPPRESSED!!!!!!!
And, many asses that are not pasty white are actually "privileged" but are being brainwashed into believing that they're "oppressed"!
That's what happens when moronic shit like this is taught in school.
I don't care how many different sources you use, it's not being taught.
Denial is silly and futile at this point, after it has been proven over and over again.
It hasn't been proven to fact deniers.
Deniers will never believe facts that have repeatedly been proven, even when those facts are stated by a Vanderbilt University Political Science and Law professor who happens to be a black woman:
Yea but but but Trump! LOL
yeah, but when they don't read links or refuse to acknowledge what the facts are, who cares if they ever admit to it?
WE know the truth.
It is impossible to tell what they really believe, I think often they are just trolling.
too true.
Nah, WE know who the trolls are.
What nonsense - it's not being taught - so how can it be a cancer on the educational system???????????????????????
Oh but it is. The proof is right up and the top of this very page for you. You should take advantage of what is being offered you most of the time.
Oh but it isn't. Just a bunch of right wingers and alleged conservatives complaining about something that isn't happening, as usual.
[deleted]
[deleted]
How Pee Wee Hermanesque that comment is ...........LOL
I'm not the topic of this 'article'. STOP IT.
[deleted]
[deleted]
Historically, denial has always been the fallback of a closed mind.
What exactly are you saying here and why are you saying it to yourself?
The denial that the principles of CRT is being presented to students by teachers across a wide variety of subjects rings false and gets old real quick when we see parents confronting school boards with stuff their children brought home to them.
Well done! 👏👍
Without a doubt that is true…
Would you believe
Co-Founder of justiceleaderscollaborative ,
Author of Those Kids, Our Schools & Race Dialogues,
Mother of 3,
medium.com/@shaylargriffin
scribd
You can't get around that one.. CRT is being used as the foundation for all education in the nation... That is no accident, it is being vehemently argued that it is not being taught when it actually is being used as the framework for education and it's being codified into law that mandates it be used that way...
Since it's progenitors and advocates are saying that it is...
There isn't an argument that can be made claiming it that isn't being taught which isn't patently false on it's face...
You are wasting your time. No matter how many times you lead them to the water, they will still vehemently deny what is right in front of them solely for the sake of argument.
No matter how many times you deny the facts it is being taught.
Now this should be satire, but it sadly it's not.
No, it isn't
No
No it isn't
That's right, CRT is not being taught, that's the truth, a fact.
Facts keep telling you differently.
One just needs to listen.
Because I'm correct.
Then you would have no problems with laws to ban CRT so that it never enters into the education system.
After all, it doesn't exist now anyway, right?
That is a good question.
Why WOULD they be upset over a law that, to them, does NOTHING???
Constant victimhood and something to virtue signal with and bitch about
For those committed to fighting for social justice, they seem rather wimpy, don't they?
Quite wimpy if one does an analysis. But there it she keyboard warrior aspect to hide behind. LOL
Interestingly enough you will never get them to answer that.
We should press them for that answer every time they make up silly stories about it not being taught anywhere
I'm not sure how this is supposed to work now.
Is everyone just supposed to type random things to no one---specifically "No, it's not"?
It must be when they have nothing else they can say.
And you are supposed to reply to yourself.
No. We are not!
LOL!!!
Works for me all the time. No it does not. Yes it does. No it does not! Yes it does!!! Aaarrggghhh...
Reminds me of this classic ...