In an effort to defeat the lasting effects of racism and oppression, a New York junior high school decided to offer racially segregated classes in which students will learn how to “undo the legacy of racism” in the country.
A junior high school announced that it will separate students by race in order to discuss identity and social justice. According to the New York Post, the Lower Manhattan Community School plans to segregate children for the purpose of completing a course reeking of Critical Race Theory.
The school hopes to conduct a series of controversial exercises in an effort to “undo the legacy of racism and oppression in this country that impacts our school community,” it told parents in an email. As such, children in grades 7 and 8 will be placed into a group based on where they fit into the five categories.
Whites and Asians will each have their own groups. As for multi-racial students, they will be lumped together regardless of their ethnic makeup. Lastly, African-American students will be combined with Hispanic students in one group, Principal Shanna Douglas wrote in her letter. Fearing a backlash, the school also offered a group for those who are uncomfortable with the format.
Douglas wrote in an email that “7th and 8th graders will explore the question ‘How do our racial identities influence our experiences?’ in affinity groups.” She went on to explain that “an affinity group is a group formed around a shared interest.”
Educators will enter a discussion with students by asking each group, “Why are we even talking about racial identity?” The school explained that if parents do not want their children to participate, they must inform the administration.
“This optional program was developed in close coordination with both the School Leadership Team, PTA and families,” said DOE spokesperson Nathaniel Styer, who said it is “abundantly clear to both students and parents that anyone can opt-out of this two day celebration if they desire.”
According to the school, the student body is 44 percent Asian, 29 percent white, 15 percent Hispanic, and 8 percent black. Principal Douglas explained that the school is now focusing on race because “students are talking about it since race has become a popular topic on social media, or parents are talking even more about it at home due to the recent incidents across the nation.”
Some of the parents expressed confidence that the school administration has their children’s best interest at heart and can properly handle the tough subject. However, others were perturbed by the shift from academics to focusing on race and subjective oppression.
“I think our teachers know how to handle it,” one mom said.
“The staff is very good about being clear when it comes to race,” another mom said.
“I think a lot of us feel like this is too much,” said another mother. “But most parents are too afraid to say anything at this point. Why are we separating our kids like this?”
“Teach the history,” one father said. “Tell that story. I’m all for an honest accounting. But this is something different. It’s insidious.”
Principal Douglas assured parents that they can contact her with their concerns and even withhold their children from the program. Of course, parents fear that they will be seen as bigots who oppose social justice, making themselves and their children political targets.
The school is taking children who are happy to congregate with their peers of every race and separating them based on physical characteristics. Instead of bringing the students together based on commonalities, educators are teaching them to view their peers through the lens of color. After decades of progress and unity, political players are pushing us backward toward civil unrest and disunity.
