Racial Equity Policy Passed By SMUHSD on February 20, 2022
Laura Aden
Redwood City

San Mateo Union High School District just passed the Racial Equity Policy unanimously for 6 High Schools

Is Critical Race Theory coming to our High Schools?  You decide. They passed this policy on Racial Equity on 2/20/2022.  Speakers for and against this Racial Equity Policy had good points.  Several people could not get in to give their opinion.  Most people didn’t know this was even being considered.  Is this policy the best way to solve problems?  Or will this create more division and problems?

Critical Race Theory is just that –a theory. It’s about focusing on a person’s race-- the color of their skin--and it fosters division. It causes people to be dissatisfied with the pigment of someone’s outward appearances rather than looking at each person as part of the human race with unique characteristics. It slots individuals into “a particular race” based on genetics rather than treating each person, each child, as having a diversity of gifts and talents that can contribute to society as a whole.

Worst of all, it creates a society that contemplates on isolating people into “labels” based on something they have no control over. Instead of empowering each person to be and do the best they can CRT will develop a “victim” mentality. Look at children playing with each other. They do not look at skin color. (Which is what CRT in schools will do.) Children see each person as just that: a person. Someone they can play with, and be a friend to. Imposing CRT on children only serves to segregate them, in this already isolating time in humanity’s history.

Why not set our sights on unity? On the positive, like love, and friendships, and seeing how we can truly help young people navigate this tough world with words of encouragement instead of words of hate. Because that’s what CRT is-- it’s hate. It’s being critical of people based on their race without regard for the beauty inside each person, especially a child.

You can read the actual policy/regulation go to SMUHSD.org. (Click on Board Agenda. Click on 1/20/22, scroll down to J17.  Read 2 documents AR 0415.1 and BP 0415.1)

Terms in the policies glossary are: Anti-Black, Anti-Racist, Anti-Racist Education, BIPOC, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Implicit Bias, Institutionalized Racism, Marginalized, Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices, Structural Racism, White Privilege and White Supremacy.

Three of the five board members are up for election this year- Peter Hanley, Linda Lees Dwyer, and Robert Griffin. Perhaps having a fresh set of new candidates will help our young minds focus on what’s ahead for them in a positive light rather than dwelling on the dark past.

San Mateo County Republican Party believes in Educational Opportunities for all students.