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Dear Editor:
I was not one to pay attention to what my children were learning in school. The past two years have changed that forever.
I discovered teachers using their position to influence students’ personal views on race and identity. Discussing racism and slavery in our nation’s history is important. These teachers, however, promoted a view of America as systemically racist where all white people are inherently racist and non-white people are victims. I found this was not an isolated incident.
In the fall of 2020, one of my daughters told me her 11th-grade English teacher spent an entire class teaching about white privilege and advantage as they were reading White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh. In 11th-grade U.S. History, a predominant theme was Civil Rights … an important topic, but not the only topic in our nation’s history. Something just didn’t feel right.
“Critical Race Theory” (CRT) was in the headlines nationwide by this time, so I started doing my own research and talking with other parents. Some reported their eighth-grade students learning about “anti-racism” and “white fragility.” The Noblesville Schools website had resources on “whiteness,” “Learning for Justice,” and books/articles by known critical race theorists Ibram X Kendi and Robin DiAngelo under the Noblesville Diversity Coalition which partners with Noblesville Schools. I also learned teachers were encouraged to read books such as White Rage, and How to be an Antiracist for professional development.
What does this have to do with academics? How is this helping our children grow into responsible, respectful adults? Thankfully, most Noblesville teachers are great and focus on academics. Unfortunately, it only takes a “few rotten apples to spoil the bunch.”
Parents all over the nation were speaking out against CRT spreading in their schools, and school boards were denying it existed. The Noblesville School Board with Joe Forgey at the helm was no different. Parents voiced concern at school board meetings in the summer of 2021, but Laura Alerding was the only member to act. Joe Forgey reportedly didn’t agree with CRT but preferred to deal with these matters “behind the scenes.” When opportunities arose to change or create a policy that would prohibit CRT in the classroom, Joe Forgey did nothing. There were many opportunities, but each time he was silent and went with the status quo.
Students need to learn the flaws in our nation’s history, and I fully believe students of all races/ethnicities, religions, and gender identities should be treated equally and with respect and dignity. I draw the line at activist teachers/administrators pushing their ideas about race, gender and social justice upon the minds of children. This most definitely was happening in 2020/21 and continues to happen today. I have since heard from parents that White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack is still being read in some 11th-grade English classes at NHS to this day.
This is one of many important issues where Joe Forgey did not address the concerns of parents/taxpayers but instead went with the status quo. We need school board members who will work to improve academic achievement and excellence and not give in to pressure from political agendas so potentially damaging to our kids and communities.
Joe Forgey may be a nice man and a respected dentist, but he is not the man for this job. Melba Kiser and Misti Ray have my vote and I hope you will join me in voting for them as well.
Alison Hanley
Noblesville