Diversity, Equity, Inclusion officers and initiatives have become a standard for schools across the country. Tony Katz has been speaking out for months against Critical Race Theory and school’s involvement in ‘anti-racist’ movements. A few months ago Current in Carmel published the article, Parents happy with Carmel public schools help launch Support CCS PAC. Tony questions if parents are really happy.
Diane Hannah, a volunteer for the Support CCS PAC, joined Tony Thursday to discuss why she is for DEI and supporting her local schools. She believes CCS has been very communitive with parents on what is taught in the classroom.
“The biggest thing for me is Carmel Clay Schools have been so transparent…at the parent teacher meeting at the beginning of the year they listed all the different circular they were going to using in the year. Every week we get newsletters about what’s going on this week. You can look on Canvas and see exactly what they’re doing.”
She says any controversial topic being brought up in the classroom setting, parents are informed weeks prior and always have the option to opt their student out. If teachers do overstep with certain topics, Hannah notes they are written up. So where do these conversations of race and inclusion come from? Hannah says it’s more often than not from the school bus conversations between other students.
“Most of the time when you here about that discourse of ‘oh you’re oppressed, I’m the oppressor.’ It’s usually students doing it to other students. That’s not something that’s going to be fixed by this type of legislation.” (referring to SB 167.)
Hannah says she’s personally used DEI resources and had a positive experience after her son was made fun of for being Jewish.
“What I like about DEI, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, initiatives in the schools in particular is that they are preempting rather than punitive.”
Katz argues that’s the point he’s trying to make on why DEI is so wrong.
“You are making the statement that it is the job of the school to do away with thought crime or to engage with those having a thought crime. That’s not teaching kids how to handle things.”
Don’t miss Part Two- Tony’s response to Hannah’s comments:
