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How Parents, Grandparents, And Community Members Can Take Action.

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Resources and Advice for Parents and Community Members

Silence is acceptance. Let your voice be heard. 

Parents' Bill of Rights 
 

This bill will be heard on Thursday, February 10 at 4:00 in RI House

Judiciary Committee.  Visit rilegislature.gov, legislation, Committee agenda to sign up to attend remotely or to register your support for the bill. This is the link to the text. 

What can Parents and Community Members do?

1. Request copies of your child’s school curriculum starting from two years ago and ending in the next academic year.

  • Analyze the differences with an eye towards identifying whether content or curriculum that teaches about Western civilization, the United States or American society and culture in any respect has been removed/replaced. Notice the usage of language that appears euphemistic or uncommon.

2. Request meetings and conversations with teachers.

 

This takes a little courage, but it is crucial if our movement is to succeed.

  • If you find odd language in your child’s curriculum, ask teachers to clarify what is being instructed under those labels.

  • Ask if they know about Critical Race Theory, anti-racism, and the 1619 Project, and what their thoughts are on the topics if they do know about them. Then ask if they have already incorporated it into instruction or plan on doing so. If they have, request that they remove your child for any instruction in which it is taught. If they refuse, contact the principal and request the same. If they refuse, contact us.

  • Ask if they think Critical Race Theory, anti-racism, and the 1619 Project should be incorporated into instruction or school programming and activities.

  • Make it known that you reject Critical Race Theory and anti-racism. Make sure that you convey that you think these practices and theories are themselves racist (anti-racism and CRT), discredited (1619 Project), and psychologically damaging to children (race-shaming), and are not appropriate for children. Make sure to convey that you think it is indoctrination and child abuse to teach these topics. If a teacher labels you as racist, or treats you disrespectfully, make noise. Contact the principal and superintendent and demand (respectfully) that they be disciplined.

3. Talk with children regularly about the instruction they are receiving.

  • Ask your children if their teachers are talking about race and identity. Dig deeper. Ask clarifying questions, such as “what is Mr./Ms. ___ saying about white people and black people?” and “does Mr./Ms. ever try to tell you what your identity is and why it matters?”

  • Ask children if their teachers are telling them what ideas, policies, political parties etc. are good or bad. Dig deeper. Ask clarifying questions, such as “has Mr./Ms. ___ ever told you or your classmates that it is not okay to think, say, or do something? If so, about what and how did he or she say it?”

  • Ask if your child feels that they are being treated differently in any respect on account of their skin color.

  • If your child reports something to you that sounds inappropriate, contact us with details. We can guide you through next steps.

4. Contact principals and superintendents

  • Ask if they plan on introducing or implementing anything that even remotely has to do with anti-racism, neo-racism, the 1619 Project, or diversity, equity, and inclusion. If so, request all information associated with these topics.

  • Keep pursuing. Note that education leaders may not always be the most transparent initially, especially when it comes to controversial issues like these. But they are required by law to provide you the information you request.Make CRT in education a priority when voting, especially for members of school boards.

  • Ask candidates if they know about any of the relevant topics. If they have not heard of them, ask candidates to research them. If they have heard of them, ask them their thoughts on whether they should be incorporated into the curriculum. If the answer is “yes,” do not vote for them.

 

  • Convey that you believe these issues are the most pressing in all of education currently, and that you expect them to take it as seriously as you do. Hold them to it.

5. Keep a close eye on your child’s mood, emotional health, and intellectual responses and proclamations.

  • If anything off-putting appears, ask what it is that makes them think, feel, or say what it is that concerns you. Dig deeper. Ask if your child feels like they are being treated differently on account of their skin color or gender. Depending on what is causing the disturbance, a lawsuit alleging harassment, the creation of a hostile environment, or a violation of the Civil Rights Act may be viable.

6. Do not lose faith, courage, stamina, or confidence.

  • We are in this together. Our resistance cannot succeed unless we maintain our outrage, courage, and persistence. Together, we will succeed.

7. Contact us and keep up to speed with our work on our website. We are here to help.

  • Ask us any relevant questions.

  • Please provide us tips concerning instances that may be related to CRT. We rely on the community to inform us about possible cases of indoctrination. Provide as much detail as you can.

Join the fight, donate today. 

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