14 Comments
User's avatar
Andre Stepankowsky's avatar

So today, April 15, on which the major leagues are celebrating Jackie Robinson day, all of these people concerned about CRT are being indoctrinated in how to keep education about prejudice and segregation out of public schools. Just saying…..

Expand full comment
Marilyn Melville-Irvine's avatar

Thanks for writing this, Andre. Hopefully your insights will be shared far and wide!

Expand full comment
Andre Stepankowsky's avatar

Please Help spread the word about

My substack page. Glad you enjoyed the piece.

Expand full comment
Roberto Castro's avatar

This is a thoughtful article and I wholeheartedly agree that this effort at "reform" is at best misguided, but probably worse. In my opinion, parents need to get more involved with their children's education by encouraging curiosity, reading, doing more activities with them, visiting National Parks, museums, and exploring their own sexuality. IMO, many have punted on hands on involvement and handed that over to social media, which has some gems, but also some atrocious information and entertainment. I have no doubt that the scores in Grays Harbor (where one of the organizers comes and assume has some sway in public matters there having been elected by those that voted) from and are at or below those in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum County where the far right has made more visible inroads.

As for the parental role, I think many parents have abdicated--despite lip service to the contrary--because they too are distressed, perhaps they also lack skills too to model for their children (and others). I am pretty confident that the number of teachers quitting may validate most of the above observations.

As for CRT, that is not taught in high school. What they object to is that history is glorious and messy especially for those that are not empowered. We need to face the truth and learn from those ugly moments to make ourselves better. Shutting it out is not a solution or an option.

I would like to see these so-called reformers reach out beyond their sphere of influence and call for a meeting to include other ethnic communities, such as Native Americans, Vietnamese, South Pacific Islanders, Hispanics (Mexico to Puerto Rico), Black Americans, Japanese, Asians, and Europeans and other faith groups such as Buddhists, Jewish, Quakers, Sunnis, Shia, Greek Orthodox, Episcopalians and non-denominational churches to explore solutions that are inclusive.

This effort is a call to arms by a group that thinks it knows and has casted aside democracy... getting others involved to make decisions and come up with policies that work for the community as a whole...

Hard times call love and community ... and we can succeed.

Expand full comment
Ned Puper's avatar

As usual, Andre, you are spot on the subject you wrote about. My concern rests in the fact that at least one of the prospective presidential candidates is full -throttle promoting the concepts you write about. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Roberto Castro's avatar

There is an interesting article today in The New York Times that while not on this point is related to the broader conflict and some issues here. Some people rise by dividing. The idea that one is losing "rights" to someone else is part of that story, as is the story that that more is better. In short, the story of unlimited opportunity, material success = happiness, and knowing more than others is a cancer. Anyway, our country's happiness level is not in the top 10 or 20. While this gauge is faulty in some respects, as the article points out ... there are nuances, we can maybe learn from the Finns. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/world/europe/finland-happiness-optimism.html?smid=url-share

Another book I am reading now, Collapse How Societies Chose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond offers some ideas on what it takes to succeed and the importance of history teaching us lessons and learning from it.

Here are two sources for us to consider before edicts are issued by the organizers to decision-makers that are eager to show "results" and/or appease the mob at their steps. Let's act in an informed and considerate manner and hear out the community.

Expand full comment
Eric Apalategui's avatar

You nailed this one, Andre.

Expand full comment
Kristine Keough's avatar

Excellent commentary Andre!

Expand full comment
Sue Hinshaw's avatar

Bravo, Andre!

Expand full comment
Linda P.'s avatar

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations

Above is the address and form to use to report churches that use the pulpit to preach Politics. President Biden asked for more IRS agents and of course the GOP screamed foul, they don't want the IRS to have the manpower to do its job properly. In my opinion if enough people report churches that are violating their tax-free status, maybe someday something will be done about it. The "church" and its followers have every right to believe whatever they want, and it's protected in the Constitution. They DO NOT have the right to make laws. Regardless of what they preach or say, this country was not founded on the premise that it is a Christian nation. Quite the opposite but in their zeal, "the Christian leaders" have tried since this nations conception to make it so.

The next Longview school board meeting is Apri 24 @ 6:30pm, District Office, 2715 Lilac St. Longview

The next Kelso school Board meeting is April 17 @6:00pm, District Office, 601 Crawford St. Kelso

I don't how well attended these meetings are but maybe if some of us show up on a regular basis they will understand our concern for the young people in this community? I'm new to the area and don't have children who attend public school here, but our kids are our future. I haven't made the effort yet to show up but would happily join others if any of you want some company?

Expand full comment
Roberto Castro's avatar

Local people need to appear and provide informed opinions to counter this ill-advised rush to judgment. Silence or sitting out is not an option, people need to be engaged to counter the culture war and cry by the extremists.

Expand full comment
Gina's avatar

Nobody is teaching CRT. Period! As for sex ed, I doubt the children are taught anything very specific. It sure wasn’t when I or my children were in school. You learned a lot more about it at recess. If churches want to regulate schools, they need to start paying taxes.

Expand full comment
Jennifer's avatar

Hmmm. Did you happen to talk to any of the organizers or anyone at the church to get their side?

Expand full comment
Rich Mahoney's avatar

Cool words for a hot topic.

Expand full comment