A California school district entered into a sharp disagreement over the implementation of Critical Race Theory (CRT) material into its curriculum. Members of the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) heard from parents about how the coursework was, in their opinion, stoking racial division.
The discussion included one Black speaker identified as Deon criticizing the school district hiring Christopher Arend, a consultant that was against Critical Race Theory. The speaker called the school district’s efforts regarding CRT “asinine.”
Local press reported that the school board disallowed Critical Race Theory from the school in December 2022 in a 3-2 vote. The district also approved $15,000 in funding for the consultant.
The speaker claimed that CRT was not being “taught in any K-through-12 classroom in the United States of America.”
He added that he was disappointed to “see people with a problem with history being taught.”
Trustee Wiersma is promoting TVUSD hosting a Critical Race Theory workshop tonight. The event flyer lists many guests attending including Melissa Melendez (former Senator), Riverside County Superintendent, Trustees from Orange County (unnamed), and the Riverside Sheriff (why?!). pic.twitter.com/daujLr5wY3
— InMinivanHell (@inminivanhell) March 22, 2023
Another member of the audience told the original speaker to “get out of the country.”
After a disagreement, the school district’s board president Joseph Komrosky gave the original speaker a warning and after continuing to speak, the board president asked for Deon to be escorted out of the building, which was captured in a TikTok video.
The controversy at the California district mirrors a number of other disagreements about the implementation of CRT in a number of school districts across the country. While many on the political left argue that the policies have not been implemented, conservatives often point to a number of racially-charged activities and lessons. CRT is also used in college settings.
This debate follows a number of states that have moved to restrict CRT curricula in their state. In April 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a law into effect that effectively banned the practice in Florida’s public schools.
The law, entitled Individual Freedom, states that “subjecting individuals to specified concepts under certain circumstances constitutes discrimination” is illegal.
It requires the state Department of Education to review “school district professional development systems.” Furthermore, the law “prohibits instructional materials reviewers” from implementing CRT materials.
