RI Teachers Union Says It Will Fight Any Attempt to Prohibit Teaching of Critical Race Theory
Wednesday, July 07, 2021
A teachers union in Rhode Island has spoken out on bans against critical race theory across the country -- and said they will "fight any attempt to prohibit the teaching of the truth."
Frank Flynn, President of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, issued a statement Wednesday on what the union called on the teaching of “so-called" critical race theory.
Many states have prohibited, or threatened to prohibit, teachers from discussing critical race theory, which is just "teaching honestly" about real historical events, said the RIFTHP, adding that a ban has not happened in Rhode Island -- yet.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn Rhode Island, GoLocal was first to report in June that the South Kingstown School Committee considered suing a woman who had sent hundreds of APRA requests as it pertained to the teaching of critical race theory in schools; the issue regarding the large-scale request for information is now in mediation.
Union on Record
“We want all children—regardless of race, ethnicity or ZIP code—to become critical thinkers who hear the truth about our country’s history and be able to draw their own conclusions based on the facts and on diverse perspectives,” Flynn said. “Teaching America’s history requires considering all of the facts available, including those that are uncomfortable, like the history of enslavement and discrimination toward people of color or perceived as different."
“Every good educator knows that we can’t just avoid or lie our way through our country’s challenges; we must have the freedom to teach and find age-appropriate ways to tell hard truths about our country’s past and present so that we can prepare our kids to create a better future," Flynn went on to say.
“States that ban these discussions in classrooms don’t just want to cancel teaching history; they want to cancel any discussion or understanding of democracy," he added. "We will fight any attempt to prohibit the teaching of the truth and fight back in a way that lifts up the voices of all people.”
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