We have put together this form so that superintendents and/or school boards can sign onto this letter to publicly state their commitment to ensuring students are taught the truth about race and racism.  

-------------------------------------------

Dear Education Community,

We believe in the full self actualization of every student in Vermont. The attempt to shut down conversations about race and difference limits the growth and development of our students who we know are capable of more. We want to give our students the skills to navigate a diverse, global world, and to succeed, thrive, and contribute in whatever community they join. We are committed to teaching about race and sharing with our students the vastness and beauty of human experience. The work of dismantling racism is the work of love for neighbors and love for this vast beautiful human experience.

The attacks on Critical Race Theory are a reaction to the increased recognition of systemic racism. Race Forward found that “‘systemic racism’ was used more times in the media after the murder of George Floyd than in the last 30 years combined”. Boiled down to its essence, CRT rests on the simple premise that systemic racism exists and is embedded in all aspects of society. Kudos to all the brave teachers that are having honest conversations about race with their students, making connections between historical and current oppression, and teaching ethnic studies. Some of these teachers may call what they are teaching CRT and some may not, what matters is that they are teaching the truth.

The anti-CRT movement promotes a color-blind approach to race. This approach deletes the experience of BIPOC individuals in the same way that “I don’t see your disability” or “I don’t see you as trans” negates the lived reality of difference for people with these identities. Students deserve to understand themselves and the world around them. We can trust young people to have meaningful discussions about complex topics. Teaching about race and racism unites across differences as we move towards more honestly understanding each others’ experiences instead of assuming we know.

Schools have the ability and responsibility to be strong agents of social change or they run the risk of perpetuating the status quo. There is no neutral stance. Dismantling racism is the work of building up love and schools must lead this work.

We are asking district leaders and school boards across the state to sign onto this letter and make a firm commitment to an anti-racist education that teaches the truth about racism, encourages youth to be change agents, creates culturally sustaining environments for BIPOC youth, and prepares all our students to be successful global citizens.

Sincerely, The Education Justice Coalition of Vermont