On its letterboard, a Colorado elementary school announced it would host special playground time for some families. The school was confronted with accusations that they are promoting racial segregation.
Parents were shocked and outraged when they noticed a controversial announcement reminiscent of the Jim Crow era spelled out on the marquee of Centennial Elementary School. Unfortunately, their concerns were not only valid but have exposed a major initiative of the district.
With the introduction of Critical Race Theory in the public education system, schools are adopting increasingly politically progressive initiatives. Disturbingly, the effort to implement equity over equality has paved the way for historically discriminatory and downright racist principles to fester in the classroom.
The Denver-based school announced it would be hosting a special playground session for “Families of Color,” which was reportedly organized by the school’s “Dean of Culture,” Nicole Tembrock. The letterboard promoted the event with no other information other than the date and time, leaving many to believe that the school is engaged in discriminatory practices.
The school immediately garnered a backlash and was forced to respond not only to angry parents but also to the media. According to Fox News, the administration claimed that families of all backgrounds are welcome, despite the sign specifically promoting the event for racial minorities.
“Our school leaders met with some of the Black families whose children attend our school to determine ways for these families to feel more included in our school community,” Centennial Elementary School said in a statement to Fox News. “Some of these families shared with us that, since the only time many of them see one another is at drop-off and pick-up times, we host some events where Black families can meet one another, connect with one another and share their experiences about the school with one another. We are honoring their request. All families are welcome to attend all of our events, and families from a variety of backgrounds have done so.”
How it started. How it's going. pic.twitter.com/0AoMrxB80p
— James Lindsay, full varsity (@ConceptualJames) December 14, 2021
Despite the school’s excuse, many were quick to point out the obvious bias. Dave Kopel, a law professor at Denver University, insisted that the event is a clear violation of the Colorado law regarding discrimination.
“In violation of Colo. Const. art. IX, sec. 8: ‘nor shall any distinction or classification of pupils be made on account of race or color,'” he wrote on Twitter.
Critics took to social media, equating the move to a revisitation of segregation ordinances that were defeated decades ago through the Civil Rights movement.
“If civil rights activists of the 1950s popped out of a time machine today, and saw all this stuff, they would infer that their movement had failed,” a Twitter user wrote.
“We’re going to be segregated again, and somehow they will spin it that it’s the white conservative males fault,” another user wrote.
“This whole racism disguised as progress phenomenon is so backwards,” another replied.
“If this continues, the product will desire and request segregated work space as they age into the work force,” yet another wrote.
Disturbingly, the event appears to be part of the school’s “Community Equity Collective” initiative, which includes introducing students to books and lessons on the politically-charged topic. The website promises that children will “focus on getting to know each other and learning about how we can contribute to equity” on all levels.
The school is disguising tried and tested discriminatory practices that harken back to racial segregation. Regardless of their intent, their efforts accomplish the same goals of the historic hate groups that attempted to divide and otherize racial groups. Unfortunately, this is already a solid curricular foundation in the public school system, and it can only be defeated by a reformation from the ground up.
